OF HORSEMANSHIP. 51 



afked of him, and for this Purpofe the Horfeman fhould 

 make his LefTons fhort, and demand but Httle at a Time ; 

 begin then to make him go backward, when he is arrived 

 far enough to underftand what you expert him to do ; but 

 at firft be contented with a Httle, it is fufficient if he under- 

 ftands what you want. 



There are Horfes, who can go backward, not only with 

 great Eafe, but do it even with the Exaftnefs of Horfes that 

 are perfedlly dreft ; if you examine thefe Horfes, you will 

 find that all the Parts of their Body are exadly proportioned ; 

 they have Strength, and Nature herfelf has taught them to 

 unite themfelves ; but there are others, who can't go back- 

 wards without great Difficulty ; thefe are weak in the Back, 

 or otherwife imperfedl in their Make ; don't demand too 

 much of thefe, work them with caution, for Rigour with 

 fuch Horfes, is never fuccefsful. 



There are another fort of Horfes, who never can be re- 

 conciled to Subjedtion ; whenever you try to make them go 

 backward, they hx their fore Feet fafl: upon the Ground, 

 and arm themfelves ; in this Cafe you muft endeavour to 

 v/in them, as it were infenfibly, and by degrees. For this 

 Purpofe, raife your hand a little, remove it froiii your Body, 

 at the fame time fhake your Reins, and you will hnd that 

 by degrees you will accuftom your Florfe to obey • but re- 

 member at the fame time, that you would have a lefs fliare 

 of Reafon, than the Animal you undertake to drefs, were 

 you to expedt to reduce him to Obedience all at once ; your 

 Horfe anfwering to the Reins which you fliake, will move 



H 2 perhaps 



