234 RIDING WITHOUT REINS. 



manner, so that the circle described by his fore feet 



will be the same as that made by his hind feet, and 



he should be taught to turn smoothly and collectedly. 



The driver should stand partly to one side of the horse 



and partly behind him, as in Fig. 105, but should on 



no account keep following the animal ; for, if he does 



so, he will throw too much of his weight on the reins. 



This should, of course, be avoided ; for the lighter the 



feeling on the reins, the better, so long as the horse 



goes up to his bridle. The pressure of the outward 



rein should act like that of the outward leg of a man 



who is riding a horse on a circle, in keeping his hind 



quarters "supported" ; so that the circle described by 



the hind feet may not be greater than that made by 



the fore feet. In order to give adequate command 



over the horse, a standing martingale, put at a proper 



length, will be required for this driving on foot. This 



method of mouthing horses is fully described in my 



husband's Illustrated Horse Breaking. When the 



horse circles and turns equally well on both reins* and 



jumps cleverly, the beginner may be put on the saddle 



without giving her any reins to hold. In order to 



keep her hands down and occupied, she may hold a 



whip or stick in both hands resting on her lap, as 



shown in the illustration, or she may fold her arms in 



front of her. Whatever may be the pace, if the pupil 



begins to lose her balance, to be frightened, to sit 



awkwardly, or to become tired, the driver should at 



once halt the horse and should try to rectify matters as 



far as possible. 



