210 PRESSURE OF THE LEG. 



much as you can and keep it there ; with the right, 

 (nails down) take hold of the bit reins, close within 

 the grasp of the left hand, and shorten them by de- 

 grees, drawing them through the left. When the 

 horse resits much, and holds his nose up, keep the 

 reins steady ; do not shorten nor lengthen them ; the 

 legs closed, to prevent the horse from running back ; 

 he will remain perhaps a minute, or more, with his. 

 nose up, and his jaw set against the bit, but will then 

 yield, bring his nose in, and champ the bit ; make 

 much of him with the right hand, loosen the reins, 

 and after a second or two, ' rein him in' again. This- 

 practice gives the horse confidence, for most young 

 horses are afraid of the bit, and if frightened at first 

 by a sudden jerk of the reins will never after go kind- 

 ly up to hand." 



" HOW TO TEACH A HORSE TO OBEY THE PRESSURE 

 OF THE LEG." 



* " To circle the horse to the right, on the forehand. 

 Apply the left leg well behind the girth, very quietly, 

 and without touching the horse's side with the spur, 

 press against him, till he takes a step to the right, 

 with his hind legs ; take the pressure of the leg, from 

 him, and make much of him ; then repeat the same, 

 and get another ste,p from him, and so on till he has 

 turned about ; the horse should not rein back ; but 

 his fore legs remain steady, and his hind quarters, 

 circle round the fore. At first you may feel the left 

 rein, and use the whip very gently on the horse's 

 side, near to where the leg is applied, but care must 

 be taken never to hurry a horse ; if done by degrees 

 he will soon understand what he has to do/' 



* Training of Cavalry Remount Horses by Captain Nolan. 



