FIELD TRAINING 65 



as if you were going to pull on a tug-of-war rope ; 

 this is the very way to make most horses think 

 " this chap's afraid," and then they begin to dance. 

 Do not begin at once to fuss about your stirrups, 

 you have got them approximately right, and that's 

 good enough to start with. So at once drop your 

 hands, feel the horse with your legs, and say to the 

 groom, " Let him go." It's a hundred to one that, 

 if you are not afraid of him, he goes off perfectly 

 quietly. As you go along you can get your leathers 

 to suit you. 



If you notice that, as he comes out of the stable 

 or is brought round to the door, the horse tucks 

 his tail very closely into his hind-quarters, sticks 

 it out straight behind him, or sticks it out with an 

 upward curl or bend, instead of carrying it naturally, 

 look out for squalls. All these are signs that his 

 " back is up " ; it may be merely from freshness, it 

 may be because the saddle is cold or uncomfortable, 

 and it may be from temper and because he means 

 kicking or bucking. Anyway it is a sign that, even 

 with a horse you know well, should not be disre- 

 garded, therefore sit tight, assert yourself, and keep 

 his head up, or you may find yourself suddenly in 

 the position shown on the following page. 



The position is certainly absurd, it may be 

 dangerous, and it will probably end in the rider 

 being shot, like old rubbish, into the street — 

 a most unpleasant and ignominious experience, 

 and the very worst of introductions to a new 

 horse. 



