76 LADIES ON HORSEBACK. 



will next be likely to romp away, pulling yon 

 much harder than is at all agreeable, and 

 seemingly inclined to take head with you 

 altogether. As a remedy against this you 

 must neither peld to him nor pull against him. 

 I have heard fairly good riders advocate by 

 turns both systems of management, especially 

 the former ; indeed, the expression, '^ Drop 

 your hands to him," has become so general 

 amongst teachers of the equestrian art, that 

 it has almost passed into a proverb. I do 

 not advocate it, nor do I deem it advisable 

 ever to pull against a pulling horse. When 

 an animal tries to forereach you, you should 

 neither give up to him nor yet pull one ounce 

 against him. Close your fingers firmly upon 

 the reins and keep your arms perfectly 

 motionless, your hands weD down, without 

 giving or taking one quarter of an inch. In 

 a stride or two he will be sure to yield to 

 your hand, at which moment you should 

 immediately yield to him, and his wondrous 

 powers of inteUigence will soon enable him to 

 discern that you are not to be trifled with. 

 Were you to give up to him when he rushes 



