In the ordinary pirouette with the feet crossed, the forehand turns, and the hind feet become crossed. The former is very simple, and the latter very difficult.

REINING BACK WITHOUT REINS.

This movement is not very difficult to teach ; but it is not without annoyance to the horse and danger to the rider, because the legs and spurs are the only agents employed to make the animal go back, with the consequent risk of putting him behind his bit or making him rear.

I would not advise young and inexperienced breakers to try this exercise before they have broken several horses. Until they have done so, they will not be able to exercise the necessary judgment.

We may safely try it on impetuous horses, which are always ready to go forward ; but it would be a mistake to teach a soft or sluggish animal, because the vigorous use of the legs is the only way to make him go up to his bridle. In any case, we ought not to teach it to a horse without being certain that he will not take advantage of the instruction, by reining back in opposition to the wishes of his rider ; in other words, by becoming restive. Therefore, I do not begin this exercise until the horse is perfectly obedient, and, especially, until I am sure of being able to make him go forward under all circumstances.

In teaching it, I begin in the same way as I have described for the rein back (p. 119 et seq.), namely, I employ both legs and hands. By degrees I diminish the action of the reins, while indicating to the horse by means of the legs, which is the great difficulty, that the hind quarters should begin the movement. It is necessary in some sort of a way that the horse should be pulled back by our thighs and seat, and that he receives a backward propulsion from his forehand.

At first, I encounter some hesitation on the part of the