THE REASONED EQUITATION 



The objection of the horse to backing arises from 

 the stiffness of the muscles of the back at the region 

 of the coupling. These muscles and the articulation 

 can, however, be suppled by the preparatory work 

 on foot, with the whip. The rider, standing at the 

 horse's left, holds the two curb reins in his left 

 hand, and touches repeatedly, with the whip, the 

 croup behind the saddle, meanwhile making a 

 moderate but repeated effect with the curb on the 

 horse's mouth. Very soon, the horse backs. By 

 repeating this work two or three times at each 

 lesson, the horse soon learns to execute the move- 

 ment, first with the trainer on foot, afterwards with 

 the trainer mounted and employing his legs, 

 supplemented if necessary by the whip. A saddle 

 horse, well collected, should move backwards with 

 the same step and cadence as forward. 



