92 THEORY OF MOUTHING. 



by the use of the long reins on foot, the proper distribution 

 of weight can be maintained when turning or circling the 

 horse. I may here explain that when turning or circling a 

 horse to the right (in the direction in which the hands of a 

 watch move), the right rein or right leg is the inward rein 

 or inward leg, and the left rein or left leg, the outward rein 

 or outward leg ; and vice versa. 



Apart from the turn on the centre, which I have just 

 described and which preserves as far as possible the natural 

 distribution of weight between the fore and hind legs, the 

 turn may be made on the forehand or on the haunches, 

 either as a suppling exercise, or as a movement necessary 

 on certain occasions to which I shall refer later on. 



Reining-back. — Combined ability to comprehend and 

 willingness to obey the application of the appropriate aids 

 for reining-back, are useful in all horses, both as an end and 

 as a means. Even on the race-course, it is well for a jockey 

 to be able at times to rein his horse back at the start, 

 instead of having to turn round, go back, and come up 

 again, in doing which he might easily lose a good position. 

 Also, among a crowd of horses in the hunting field, when 

 waiting for one's turn to go through a gate or at the only 

 practicable part of a fence, a like command over a horse is 

 to be appreciated. Reining-back is, however, even still 

 more valuable as a means of teaching the horse to obey the 

 aids. I may explain that there are two forms of the rein 

 back : one, in which the preponderance of weight is placed 

 on the hind legs ; the other, in which it is put on the fore- 

 hand. We see the former when the carter tries to make 



