220 SHOULDERS IN. 



er his balance, by stepping backwards, and thus, the 

 first motion in reining back, is produced ; give the 

 horse his head, and make much of him ; at first a few 

 steps backwards, is all that should be required from 

 the horse, increasing by degrees ; if he bring his hind 

 legs too much under him, ease the hand, and apply 

 both legs to make him regain his balance forward ; 

 for this reason always apply the leg first, and then 

 an increased pressure on the reins, because if you feel 

 the reins first, the horse throws his weight back, and 

 it stands to reason," as Captain Nolan observes, " that 

 the more weight he throws on his hind legs, the less 

 able he his to lift them." 



" The horse must never be allowed to hurry, or run 

 back out of hand, nor diverge from the straight line ; 

 should he do so, place him straight, by bringing his 

 haunches to the right or left as may be required." 



SHOULDERS IN. 



The horse having learnt to follow the indications 

 of the hand and obey the pressure of the leg, can 

 now be taught the ' Shoulder in/ at first a few steps 

 only being required of him. 



Separate your reins, take one in each hand, and 

 hold them rather short ; bring the inward hand 

 down, letting the wrist rest just above the hip, draw 

 the horse's head round, at the same time advance 

 the outer hand, to admit of the horse freely bending, 

 press him with the inward leg and he will move di- 

 agonally, the outward hand by light touches, ani- 

 mates the horse, and guides him, in the direction you 

 wish him to go. 



