Graceful Riding: A Pocket Manual for Equestrians

by Samuel C. Wayte

REINING BACK.

The rider should frequently practise reining back, which is of the utmost service both to himself and his horse: by it, the rider’s hand is rendered firm and materially strengthened; and the pliancy of wrist so essential to the complete management of the horse is achieved, likewise causing the body of the rider to be well thrown back and his chest expanded, thus forcing, and preserving, an erect position in the saddle. Also, the carriage of the horse becomes greatly improved; his head is maintained in its correct position, and he is compelled to work correctly on his haunches.

In “reining back,” the horseman requires a light and steady feeling of both reins, a pressure of both legs, so as to raise his horse’s forehand and keep his haunches well under him, at the same time easing the reins, and feeling them again after every step.

STOPPING.

None are thoroughly taught until quite AU FAIT in the stop. It is of far greater importance than may be usually imagined. In the first place, it shows the horse to be well under COMMAND, especially when the rider is able to do so instantaneously: it saves in the second place, many serious and inevitable accidents from carriages, horsemen, &c., such as crossing before suddenly pulling up, turning quickly round a corner, or coming unawares upon the rider.

Care must be taken to make the STOP steadily; not by a sudden jerk upon the bit; by doing so the horse, if “tender mouthed,” will be made to rear and plunge. To make the horse stop properly, the bridle-hand must be kept low, and the knuckles turned down. The rider’s body must be well thrown back; he must have a steady feeling of both reins, and, closing both legs for a moment, so keep his horse well up to hand. N. B.—The rider’s hands always must be eased as soon as halted.

LEAPING.

Much depends upon the manner of bringing a horse up to the leap; he should be taken up straight and steady to it, with the reins held in each hand—they must be kept low, with the curb-rein held loosely. The rider’s body should be kept erect, pliant, and easy in its movements. As the animal is in the act of rising in his leap and coming again to the ground, the rider’s body must be well thrown back.

The sitting of a leap, well, is entirely dependent upon the proper balance of the body; thereby the weight is thrown correctly into the saddle, and thus meets the horse’s movements.