52 EQUITATION AND HORSE TRAINING. 



This movement is well executed when the horse moves 

 backward step by step and voluntarily moves to the 

 front again as soon as the trooper releases the hand. 



If, instead of backing slowly and step by step, the 

 horse hurries the movement and is about to come down 

 upon the haunches, the trooper promptly stops all action 

 of the hand °' and corrects the horse by attacking him 

 vigorously with the legs or with the spurs to push him 

 forward again. 



This exercise to be insisted upon in what cases? — 

 Backing is a suppling exercise for the back as well as the 

 haunches, and it is an indispensable movement for the 

 saddle horse. Yet it should not be abused, particularly 

 in the early stages of training, as resistance will eventually 

 be developed. Moreover, it is not suitable for all horses 

 indiscriminately but should be used especially for those 

 that have difficulty in bringing the hind legs under or 

 that have too much weight on the forehand. 



Individual work (at will) . — Nearly all instructors have 

 the bad habit of grouping young horses too much. The 

 greater part of a drill is devoted to work with fixed dis- 

 tances, which gives the horses the idea of sticking in 

 ranks. We have already said that it is better to work 

 without regard to distances. And from the very begin- 

 ning it is also essential to execute all movements in both 

 directions and at will. If, in addition, we give a few 

 outdoor rides in pairs, the young horses will become 

 quiet, free movers and the remainder of the training exer- 

 cises will be that much easier. 



Condition of the horse at the end of the work in the 

 snaffle bridle. — At the end of instruction in the snaffle 

 bridle, the horse should be willing on the road and tranquil 

 in the riding hall. He executes correctly the movement 



o As a matter of fact the trooper has probably lost all action of the 

 hand because in this faulty movement the horse is invariably behind 

 the bit. 



