6. If the gallop is taken from the trot while posting, rising with the right diagonal assists the right lead. Rising from the left diagonal assists the left lead.
When perfection is attained, the horse does not perceptibly swing his haunches to the right or left.
[1] Note.—For paragraphs 4 and 5 the following paragraphs, showing a method of using the reins, may be substituted. This method is taught by some of the best authorities in our service. It certainly can be reasoned out as well as that mentioned above, it is more easy to put in practice and produces results in a scientific manner.
“1. Use the left direct rein to weight the left shoulder.
“2. Exert sufficient pressure on the right rein to keep the head from being turned to the left, so that the horse may see where he is going, and at the same time raise the right hand slightly to assist in lightening the weight on the right shoulder, thereby assisting to free it.”
CHAPTER IX.
Backing.
This exercise is a suppling one for back and haunches, and is especially applicable to horses who have difficulty in bringing the hind legs under the body. It is an exercise which to the unskillful is dangerous, as it tends to put a horse behind the bit. To the skillful it is of course less dangerous yet it should not be undertaken by either until this point in the education of the horse is reached, provided he be normal. With horses that are very difficult to hold, or are continually bolting, backing exercises may be undertaken earlier in the training.
The movement may be advantageously taught dismounted at first.