BACKING. 



45 



I. Prepare to back. — 2. Back. 



Explanation. — To make her horse go backward, 

 the pupil should draw herself up and lean back very 

 .far, using her leg and whip together, in order to 

 bring the horse's legs well under him, and at the 

 same time raise both wrists and bring them near the 

 body. As soon as the horse has taken his first step 

 backward, the pupil should stop the action of her 

 leg, whip, and hands, only to resume them almost 

 immediately to determine the second step ; to stop 

 backing, she will stop all effects, and resume the nor- 

 mal positions. 



After a few steps, the teacher should say : 



I. Prepare to stop backitig. — 2. Stop backing. 



The movement is only correct when the horse 

 backs in a straight line, and step by step. If he 

 quickens his movement, he must be at once carried 

 vigorously forward with the leg and whip. 



When the pupil begins to have a firm seat at the 

 trot, the teacher will gradually let her pass the cor- 

 ners at that gait, and, at his discretion, will also let 

 her execute some of the movements to the right and 

 left. To do this, she will use precisely the same 

 means as at the walk, the only difference being that, 

 as the gait is quicker, the changes of equilibrium are 

 greater for both horse and rider, and the effects 

 should be lighter and more quickly employed and 

 stopped. 



I have given most of the movements to the right, 



