BENDING LESSON. 215 



" When the bend is completed, the horse will hold 

 his head there without restraint, and champ the bit, 

 then make much of him, and allow him to resume 

 gently his natural position, but not to throw his head 

 round hurriedly." 



" Practice this in the same manner to the left. 

 To prepare the horse to ' Rein in/ take the near snaf- 

 fle rein in the right hand, and the off rein in the left, 

 at about six inches from the rings, cross them behind 

 the horse's jaw, and draw them in, till the horse gives 

 way to the pressure, and ' reins in' then make much 

 of him." 



You should now mount the horse, and bend the 

 horse's head to the right and left. 



" To the right, by passing the second finger of the 

 right hand through the bit and snaffle reins low down, 

 so as to have the reins short on the off side ; then 

 draw them gently towards you, till you get the horse's 

 head completely round to the right, in the same 

 position as in the bend dismounted ; when the horse 

 champs his bits, allow him to resume his natural 

 position." 



" When bending the horse's head to the left, pass 

 the right hand over the left one, and placing the fore- 

 finger through the near reins, proceed as before di- 

 rected." 



" Next teach the horse on the reins being felt, to 

 arch his neck ; and there remain steady, till he be 

 allowed to get his head away again." 



" To ' rein in' turn the little finger of the bridle 

 hand towards the horse's head, lowering the hand as 



