TO BACK. 33 



action, and be taught how best to 

 perform it. 



If the horse be made to back by 

 means of the bit only, the forces of 

 the fore-hand will bear down and • cramp 

 the croup, and if any movement to the 

 rear takes place it must be with diffi- 

 culty and awkwardness. 



It is evident, therefore, that, if the 

 movement is to be made with ease and 

 grace, the forces of the croup must be 

 brought up to a point nearly in balance 

 with those of the fore-hand, but yield- 

 ing to the latter sufficiently to permit 

 the retrogression at the desired speed. 



It is not possible for the horse to 

 back with rapidity and retain his light- 

 ness, and the school-terms of the 

 ** gallop backwards" and the *'trot 



3 



