SHOWING HORSES 



When coming into line at the call of the ring- 

 master, it does no harm, if your horse is au fait in 

 such accomplishments, to go a length or two 

 beyond your place, and then, after pulling up, to 

 back into position,especially if a judge is looking. 

 You prove good manners at once. If your horse 

 is quiet, you may now, by your apparent disre- 

 gard of him, emphasize his merits in the way of 

 quietness when standing, and should always, if 

 possible, uncheck him while in repose, the long 

 waits proving very fatiguing to cramped and 

 twisted neck-muscles. Keep him square on his 

 legs, and light in hand, and if the judges ask you 

 to back, do not make the common error of at 

 once trying to haul him back, but be sure that 

 he is " on his feet," and so placed that it is 

 -physically possible for him to comply. One some- 

 times sees exhibitors trying vainly to perform this 

 simplest of manoeuvres with horses whose atti- 

 tude precludes the possibility of their obedience. 

 Never try to overdo it, or back one step after 

 the judge's gesture shows that he is satisfied, for 

 your horse may turn restive from any cause, and 

 suddenly rebel. " Let well enough alone " in 

 all such undertakings. 



Called upon for a second display, it is probably 



293 



