BACKING AND THE PIROUETTES 



ings on the croup with the right hand, accompanied 

 by the voice, soon make the horse comprehend what 

 is desired. A single one-hour lesson is sufficient to 

 teach the creature to go backwards, the coupling 

 supple, at the touch of the whip behind the saddle 

 and the gentle tension on the reins. The movement 

 should then be repeated from the right side, reins 

 in the right hand, whip in the left. 



This movement backward, alternated with the 

 other movements, forward, pirouette, and reversed 

 pirouette, will very soon bring about a state of 

 complete obedience on the part of the horse. The 

 man, on his side, begins to see the effects of the 

 various means which he is employing and to under- 

 stand the operation of the animal mechanism. 



During the work on foot, if the horse is uneasy 

 from need of exercise, put him at the cavesson and 

 longe, preferably without bridle. 



A last word : Patience and gentleness ; do not for- 

 get that you teach, you educate. 



