232 HOW WOMEN SHOULD RIDE 



prompts him to break into a canter as 



he becomes restless ; and then he must 



be brought back to a trot by decreasing 



the speed and keeping the hands steady. 



A stumbling horse must be kept 



awake and going at a medium rate of 



speed. In either a very fast 



Stumbling 



trot or a slow one he is likely 

 to trip, and unless his driver is prepared 

 for it, and ready to keep him up, he 

 will probably fall, and she may be pulled 

 over the dash-board. 



A bearing-rein may assist in keeping 

 him on his feet, but an habitual stum- 

 bier can never be considered safe. 

 Such a horse must not be driven with 

 loose reins, as a feeling on his mouth 

 is necessary at all times. 



When a horse persistently backs, there 

 are two great dangers: first, he may up- 

 set the carriage, unless it cuts un- 



Backing ,11 11 



der; and, secondly, he may back 



