REINING BACK. 219 



forward when the impulse is given by the hand, to 

 throw it back, and bring his haunches under him ; 

 but should you, instead of closing the legs, or using 

 the spur gently, put both spurs into his sides, the 

 horse would throw so much weight forward, from the 

 great impulse received, that he would probably pull 

 the reins out of your hand ; your object would thus be 

 defeated in the beginning ; and the horse having 

 burst from control on the first application of the spur, 

 by throwing his weight forward, would ever after do 

 the same. It is of great importance therefore, that 

 the spur be used with judgment, and a knowledge of 

 the horse's temper, so that the impulse communicat- 

 ed to the horse with the spur, should not be stronger, 

 than what you can easily control with the hand. 



" Increase by degrees the use of the spur, until the 

 horse will stand its application without throwing any 

 weight on the hand, without increasing his pace, or 

 without moving, if applied when standing still." 



REINING BACK. 



*" Reining back should not be commenced until 

 the horse is well bent, and obeys the pressure of the 

 leg ; during the reining back, the horse must be well 

 in hand and well balanced ; as he can then make an 

 equal use of all his fore legs, and raise them equally 

 from the ground. 



" Having a steady feeling of both reins, apply both 

 legs to the the horse, to make him lift one of his hind 

 legs ; at the moment of his doing so, double the feel- 

 ing of both reins, which will oblige the horse to recov- 



* Training of Cavalry Remount Horses by Captain Nolan. 



