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Horse Training 
 
 by 
 
 Modern Methods 
 
 BY 
 
 Allan Melvill Pope, 
 
 First Lieutenant of Cavalry, U. S. Army. 
 
 1912. 
 
 FEANKLIN HUDSON PUBLISHING CO;, 
 KANSAS CITY, MO. 
 
Copyright, 1912, 
 
 By Frankliu Hudson Publishing Co.. 
 
 Kansas City, Mo. 
 
FOREWORD. 
 
 The object of this book is to arrange in the most 
 convenient, clear, and concise form the modern system 
 of horse-training, in so far as it is applicable to the train- 
 ing of horses in the mounted sen^'ce of the United States. 
 
 No attempt has been made in any case to improve 
 upon methods already deemed correct l)y the best horse- 
 men ; and as such methods can be found dealing with all 
 points of training, it follows that the subject matter in 
 this book is not original. Where the best was to be 
 found, there it has been sought, and where the authors 
 of previous works have expressed their ideas in language 
 considered the most concise and clear, their words have 
 been copied verbatim, with due acknowledgement to the 
 authors. 
 
 I am indebted to the following for methods, theories, 
 translation of technical terms, and improvised commands 
 herein contained: 
 
 To Major George H. Cameron, 14th Cavalry, 
 
 Captain W. C. Short, 13th Cavalry, 
 
 3 
 
4 Fore:word. 
 
 Captain Guy V. Henry, Cavalry, 
 1st Lieutenant Gordon Johnston, Cavalry, 
 1st Lieutenant Joseph F. Taulbee, 2d Cavalry, 
 The late Captain M. Horace Hayes, F.R.C.V.S., 
 Edward L. Anderson, 
 James Fillis, i 
 
 Captain de Saint-Phalle, 
 Azotes d'Bquitation-Carouseles Militaire, 
 Sauinur Notes (English translation of the above) ; 
 and to Col. Haddens W. Jones, loth Cavalry, for val- 
 uable assistance and advice. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Nothing within this book is believed to be beyond 
 the reach of the mounted service in general. 
 
 The time allotted to "breaking" or gentling will be in 
 many cases eliminated, as the present system of remount 
 stations has become well established. 
 
 Each troop should have three or four such articles 
 as longes and cavessons. These articles can be made 
 very easily by saddlers and blacksmiths, from a model. 
 Models can undoubtedly be procured through the ]Mount- 
 ed Service School at Fort Riley, Kansas, or from any 
 saddlery store, care being taken in purchasing from the 
 latter to determine whether the model is a correct one 
 or not. 
 
 In many cases the reasons for the use of certain 
 aids^ etc., are apparent, and all explanation is omitted. 
 In other cases, where explanations involve nice points of 
 mechanics, etc., they have likewise been omitted. The 
 reason for the latter omissions being that they are in- 
 
6 PRH^AC^. 
 
 teresting to the student only. 'The real student of horse- 
 training can only be one who enjoys such work. Many 
 officers do not enjoy it, and this book is intended for all. 
 
 In view of the fact that all the methols embodied 
 herein are well-recognized mehods, I trust readers will 
 take for granted that they conform to the mechanical 
 principles, etc., omitted. 
 
 As riding cannot be taught by books, no attempt 
 is made to do' so here. Officers instructed in riding at 
 the Mounted Service School are returned to their reg- 
 iments every year, where, by their example and ability to 
 instruct, they can accomplish far more than any liter- 
 ature on the subject; but where riding, as regards the 
 seat, cannot be readily forgotten, points of training a 
 horse can ; and it is for such as forget, or for such as 
 have had nothing or little to forget, that this book is 
 intended. 
 
 As to riding, it might be of interest, however, to 
 some to note that the following cautions have been found 
 to be a frequent necessity while training horses with en- 
 listed men up : 
 
Don't yank upon 3^0111- horse's mouth. 
 
 Keep your hands low and your wrists supple. 
 
 Don't stick your knees up in the air. 
 
 Grip with your knees and the calf of your leg. 
 
 Let your stirrups out (for most men). 
 
 Carry your legs back. 
 
 Don't let your reins flop. 
 
 Don't hollow out your back. 
 
 Don't let your horse back up (unless the movement 
 is a retrograde one). 
 
 Drive him forward. 
 
 Don't let him bend his neck at the shoulder. 
 
 Use your leg (or legs). 
 
 Don't be rough with your horse. 
 
 New horses sent to a post should be turned over to 
 one competent officer with assistants, if necessary, for 
 
 1 
 
 training. If necessary to assign them to troops to assure 
 proper care and grooming, orders should be given that 
 they be exercised only by direction of the officer in 
 charge. Enlisted men specially suited for training horses 
 should be detailed under the above-named officer's di- 
 
8 Prei^ac^. 
 
 rection. Only such enlisted men should be detailed who 
 will not be discharged or detailed on other duty until 
 the training ceases. The training should continue for 
 not less than six months. Horses should, when possible, 
 be assigned trainers who belong to the organization to 
 which the horses are assigned, the rider being assured, 
 if possible, that the horse will be assigned to him after 
 the training is over. 
 
 Two officers can train with reasonable satisfaction 
 seventy-five horses, if given one hour and a half per day 
 six days a week, in the riding-hall. As the number of 
 horses in the riding-hall at a time go over fifteen the 
 difficulties increase. 
 
 In case it be impossible for new horses to be un- 
 der the direction of one officer, organization commanders 
 should keep the horses out of ranks an equal period, and 
 undertake the same training with competent men. 
 
 Hard-trotting, uncontrollable Jiorses, uncomfortable 
 to ride and weak in muscular activity, result from lack 
 of training. 
 
 / 
 
Prk^ac^. 9 
 
 From practical work with enlisted men, it has been 
 found that there is little difficulty in teaching them the 
 kinds of aids, with their proper names, and the use and 
 form the various exercises take. The manner in which 
 they apply their aids and perform the exercises varies 
 with the individual's ability to ride and aptitude for 
 training. 
 
 When Part TL is undertaken, the difficulties increase. 
 The difficulties do not lie in the use of the double rein, 
 which the men soon become accustomed to, but in un- 
 derstanding the flexions and the delicate use of the aids 
 required in these exercises and in the changes of lead 
 at the gallop. 
 
 As hands are a most important element in Part II., 
 it is not surprising that men wdio have ridden perhaps 
 less than three years should have difficulty. 
 
 Part II. should not be abandoned, either because of 
 the difficulties inherent to the exercises or because of the 
 lack of proper epuipment. The use of a double bridle 
 improvised from a watering bridle and a regulation bit 
 
10 Preface:. 
 
 is preferable to the use of a single curb immediately suc- 
 ceeding the work with the snaffle alone. 
 
 To some it may seem that confusion exists as to ar- 
 rangement of the facts. The scheme of arrangement is 
 as follows : 
 
 A man, in training a horse, can begin work on the 
 horse with what he finds in the beginning of this book, 
 and as the horse progresses he need only progress in his 
 reading to find new exercises. Certain defmitions and 
 explanations are requisite to a proper understanding of 
 an exercise. These are necessarily interpolated. 
 
 If the reader will consider the difficulties in setting 
 forth such facts in a logical sequence, he will perhaps 
 be more lenient in his criticisms of this book, although 
 criticism is expected and sought. 
 
 A. M. P. 
 
 Manliiis, N. Y., August, 191 1. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 Early Handling. 
 
 Object of Training — Horse-training is a series of 
 exercises to render the horse obedient and at the same 
 time to preserve and develop his inherent qualties. It 
 is a muscular training which by suppling the parts will 
 strengthen the entire body, and by balancing the horse 
 will develop harmony in his movements. 
 
 New Horses. — New horses should be exercised dai- 
 ly, at first being led by men on foot, and later by men 
 mounted on- quiet horses. The exercise should be at a 
 walk, and is used to quiet and strerugthen the animals. 
 When leading a young horse mounted, the side upon 
 which he is led should often be changed to avoid giving 
 a false set to the neck. 
 
 Care of New Horses. — ^The young horse should have 
 
 flannel bandages om his fore legs when exercised, from 
 
 the fetlock to the knee, to support the P.exor tendons and 
 
 II 
 
12 HoRSK Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 to keep the horse from hitting himself, thereby often 
 causing spHnts. 
 
 After exercising, the legs should be rubbed and the 
 tendons massaged, then washed with cool water and flan- 
 nel bandages applied. The tendons are thereby support- 
 ed and wind-puffs and swellings prevented. 
 
 Hozv to Adjust a Bandage. — A bandage should be 
 wound up with the tapes inside. Unroll six or eight inch- 
 es of it, and lay this loose portion obliquely across the 
 outside of the leg, close to the knee, with the end reach- 
 ing to about the center of that joint, and the rolled-up 
 part turned to the outside, and directed downward and 
 forward. The beginning should be continued around 
 the fetlock and upper part of the pastern, and brought 
 back close up below the knee. The loose end is then 
 turned down, and the folds of the bandage carried over 
 it. The tapes are tied a little above the center of the 
 cannon bone. (Hayes.) 
 
 To Approacli an Uncertain Horse. — To go up to 
 an uncertain horse which is held or tied up in the 
 open, approach the fore leg on the near side at an 
 
HoRSK Training by Modern Methods. 13 
 
 angle! of about 70 degrees to the direction of the axis of 
 the horse. Having reached his shoulder, place a hand 
 on his crest and stroke the mane. When a certain de- 
 gree of confidence is restored to the liorse, further hand- 
 ling may be undertaken. 
 
 To Lead a Horse zvith the Snaffle, and to Adjust 
 Snaffle — To lead a horse with a snaffle mounted or dis- 
 mounted, pass both reins through the near snaffle ring 
 if the horse is to be on the ofif side. Jn placing the snaffle 
 bridle upon a fractious horse, place the reins first over 
 the neck, if possible. If the horse objects to having 
 the head-stall put on, unfasten the left check-strap from 
 the ring of the snaffle. Place the head-stall in position, 
 then put the bit in the mouth and refaste*n the cheek- 
 strap. If impracticable to remove the halter before 
 bridling the horse^ place the bridle on over the halter, 
 then unfasten the halteir, slip the nose-band down over 
 the nostrils, then into the mouth and aroimd under the 
 bit and out of the mouth. The halter will then fall off. 
 
 Longeing. — The following principles must be con- 
 sidered when longeing: 
 
14 HoRSK Training p.y Modern Methods. 
 
 1. The horse must be controlled by the longe; the 
 only function of the whip is to move the horse forward. 
 
 2. The length of the longe should be frequently 
 changed. The horse should alternately stretch himself 
 on a large circle and bend himself on a small circle. 
 
 3. The gaits should frequently be changed. (Notes 
 d'Hquitation.) 
 
 Method of Longeing a Horse. — Start the longe- 
 ing exercise without the longeing whip. Place the 
 cavesson on the horse, if possible, after the halter has 
 been removed^ or, if a bridle is on the horse, over the 
 bridle. Fasten the longe into the ring of the cavesson. 
 Face the same way the horse faces and walk near his 
 head, leading him by a short longe in a circle to the left ; 
 right hand on the longe near the horse's head, longe in 
 the left hand, not coiled, but arranged so that in running 
 out quickly it will not become entangled or pinch the 
 fingers. 
 
 If the horse refuses to lead, an assistant may urge 
 him forward as quietly as possible from the rear. As 
 the horse becomes accustomed to being led, gradually 
 
HoRSK Training by Modern Methods 15 
 
 lengthen the longe and drop back sHghtly from the head 
 of the horse, toward his shoulders. Cluck to the horse 
 to urge him forward. Use the hand to make motions 
 for the same purpose or tap him lightly with the hand 
 on his side, in case the horse refuses to go forward. If 
 the horse turns toward the trainer, shake the longe so 
 that it lightly taps the nose on the side of the horse 
 which should be toward the center of the circle. Grad- 
 ually, as the horse learns what is wanted, the trainer 
 moves so that the horse circles about him, first at a slow 
 gait, then at the trot, and finally, when more proficient, 
 at the canter an;d gallop. 
 
 To slow down the gait, use the voice soothingly and 
 shake the longe up and down gently. To stop the horse, 
 a series of motions of the longe up and down, with a 
 strong pull on the longe as it comes down, will have the 
 greatest effect. The word "whoa" should frequently 
 be used in this movement. When the horse obeys, he 
 should be caressed. 
 
 When a horse will go to the left on the longe, even 
 at the walk, he should be practiced going to the right un- 
 
i6 Horse Training by Modern jMethods. 
 
 til equally capable on that hand. A horse should not be 
 longed until fatigued. 
 Use of the Longe, — 
 
 1. To exercise young horses without injury. 
 
 2. To give first lessons to horses difficult to manage. 
 
 3. For horses that hold back or fight. 
 
 4. For horses with one shoulder more developed 
 than the other. 
 
 5. For horses that will not work equally well on 
 either hand. 
 
 6. For horses that bend themselves with difficulty. 
 
 7. For the first lessons in jumping. (Notes d'Bqiii- 
 tation.) 
 
 The Snaffle Bit. — As early as possible, a bridle and 
 snaffle bit should be put on the horse. 
 
 The snaffle is a very mild bit because it acts mostly 
 on the lips and only a little en the bars. The faults of 
 the hand are therefore less prejudicial to the tender 
 mouth of the new horse. When, in the course of train- 
 ing, the horse becomes familiar with the snaffle bit, he 
 may be prepared for the double bridle by the use of the 
 
HoRSi: Training by Mode:rn Me:thods. 17 
 
 double snaffle, a bit which is known not to be dangerous 
 and which gives the rider more action upon the horse. 
 The double snaffle should properly be composed of a 
 snaffle without branches and a "Boucher" snaffle. The 
 double snaffle also is useful in the case of a horse that 
 leans on the hands ; the remedy consisting, in this case, 
 of producing action either by alternate effects which 
 make each snaffle bit felt separately, or by cross-eflfects 
 obtained by the action of one snaffle bit on one side and 
 the other snaffle bit on the other side. 
 
 Saddling New Horses. — New horses should be made 
 accustomed to equipment while they are first exercised 
 by leading or when on the longe ; first by the blanket and 
 surcingle, then by the saddle being placed on their back. 
 The saddle is put on first without stirrups, th6n with stir- 
 rups crossed, and then with the stirrups hanging. The 
 girth should at first be tightened slightly, and afterwards 
 readjusted, if necessary, during the exercises, A nerv- 
 ous horse should be longed a little before placing the 
 saddle on his back. 
 
i8 Horse: Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 A horse should not be mounted for the first time on 
 the same day he is first saddled. 
 
 Mounting the New Horse. — When first mounting, 
 the rider should get into the saddle as handily and quick- 
 ly as possible, without being particular as to exactness. 
 An assistant stands facing the horse. The rider slaps 
 the saddle, lets the stirrups drop against the sides of the 
 horse, and then takes up the reins, leaving them very- 
 long. In case the liorse backs up or tries to move away, 
 the assistant leads him gently up to where he was before 
 and the rider tries to mount again. 
 
 If the rider believes that the horse will make violent 
 resistances, he can insure his seat by having a rolled 
 blanket strapped to the pommel of the saddle, to keep his 
 knees in place. With a horse very difficult to mount, 
 where there is danger of severe resistance, the horse 
 should be snubbed up to a strong, quiet horse. »Snubbing 
 is only resorted to in cases where longeing and quiet 
 handling have failed to bring about the desired results. 
 
 With very restless animals, the assistants stand 
 squarely in front of the horses and simply caress the 
 
Horse: Training by Modi^rn Me:thods. 19 
 
 animals' heads wittiout holding the reins. If a horse is 
 very restless, and the cavesson has to he used, it should 
 be in the hands of an experienced man. 
 
 The following is a position often taken for mount- 
 ing a restless artimal: Take the reins of the snaffle in 
 the left hand, and with the same hand catch hold of the 
 mane at about the middle of the neck so that there is a 
 slight tension on the reins. Take hold of the pommel 
 of the saddle with the right hand and mount, taking care 
 that the left toe does not touch the horse when mount- 
 ing. Above all things, avoid bustling the horse when 
 Sitarting; for^ if he is led to expect this, he will never 
 stand quietly to be mounted. Sometimes feeding a horse 
 oats from a pan while he is being mounted causes him 
 to stand quietly. 
 
 First Lessons after Mounting — Never require any- 
 thing from the horse mounted for the first time. If he 
 walks straight ahead, it is sufficient. Keep the reins 
 separated and feel lightly the snaffle. Ride the horse 
 a few times around the hall to the right and to the left, 
 leaving him as free as" possible, if^ of course, he is quiet. 
 
20 Horse: Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 If the horse does well, dismount and feed him carrots, 
 if they can bel supplied, or a handful of oats. Carrots 
 ought alwawys be cut lengthwise and never across ; ir the 
 latter case they might stick in the animal's throat. 
 
 Resistances. — Among the most violent resistances 
 are bucking and rearing. , 
 
 If the horse attempts to buck, press him forward 
 with the legs and hold his head high. The rider is more 
 easily displaceld if the horse bucks in place. If the rider 
 is not able to make the horse go forward, he should turn 
 him to the right or left with the snaffle bit. As all 
 horses have a soft and hard side to their mouths, when 
 resistance is encountered in turning to the right, the at- 
 tempt should be made to turn him to the left. 
 
 When a horse rears, separate the reins, and take 
 hold of the mane in the left hand at about the middle 
 of the neck. Lean forward, and when' the horse comes 
 down again, push the body back into its place by quickly 
 straightening the arm. 
 
CHAPTER ir. 
 
 EqUIIvIBRIUM. 
 
 A little mn«5t be understood about equilibrium before 
 the aids can properly be mastered. 
 
 Direct Bquilibrium. — This relates to the balance of 
 the horse when the center of gravity is moved forward 
 or backward. The fore legs of the horse are used for 
 translation, the hind legs for propulsion. The horse 
 naturally bears more weight upon his fore legs than upon 
 his hind. The center of gravity, then, is nearer the fore 
 quarters than the hind, which is therefore favorable to 
 the forward movement of the horse. 
 
 If the weight of the horse, by changing the positioni 
 of parts of the body, brings the center of gravity to- 
 wards the rear, it is more favorable for the backward 
 movement. 
 
 When the center of gravity is forward, the fore legs 
 control the movement of the mass, and the hind legs 
 
 21 
 
22 Horse Training by IModkrn Me:thods. 
 
 merely propel. When the center of gravity moves back- 
 ward, the hin(d legs become more and more masters of 
 the control of the movement of the mass, and their ac- 
 tion then is from thq ground up as well as from rear to 
 front as before. Ih other words, the movements gain 
 in height. 
 
 Position of a Horse for the Forward Movement. — 
 
 1. When a horse wants to move forward, he natur- 
 ally puts himself in the most favorable position ; conse- 
 quently he throws his weight forward to his shoulders, 
 and, to do this, stretches' out his head and neck. 
 
 2. To obtain the forward movement and the ac- 
 celerations in gait then, the rider must Idt the horse ex- 
 tend and lower his head and neck: similarly he must 
 raise them to obtain the slower gaits. 
 
 3. A horse must ahvays he ready to carry himself 
 forivard. This is the most important rule in equitation. 
 The tendency to move forward is called ''impulsion." 
 Without impulsion we can have no influence over the 
 direction. {De Saint-Phalle.) 
 
HoRSF, Training py Modern Me:tiiods. 23 
 
 The horse must go into the bridle. Nearly every 
 vice and resistance offered by a horse is preceded and 
 made possible by the animal getting" behind the bit; that 
 is, he refuses to face the bit, or take the pressure of the 
 bit, so that the rider's hand can find nothing by which 
 he can enforce his demands. {Anderson.) 
 
 Lateral Bquilibriuni. — This relates to the balance of 
 a horse when the center of gravity is moved sideways. 
 It is a case where the horse is made to load one shoulder 
 or one haunch or all onie side more than the other. It 
 is used for changes of direction, parallel displacements, 
 etc. The horse being in motion, if we force him to car- 
 ry the weight of his forehand to one side, the entire fore- 
 hand tends to be displaced to the same side. This dis- 
 placement of the horse is obligatory if that of the center 
 of gravity is sufficienjth^ accentuated. 
 
 The Aids. 
 V/Jiat Are the Aids? — The aids are the different 
 means employed by the rider to convey his desires or 
 intentions to the horse. (Notes d' Equitation.) 
 
24 HoRSD Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 The I.KGS. 
 
 The Stirrups. — The stirrups should be so adjusted 
 that the tread of the stirrup is le^^el with the top of the 
 heel when the rider is mounted and seated properly. 
 When the stirrups are too long, as with the ''fork seat," 
 the rider is unable to use his legs with strength and ac- 
 curacy. With the stirrups too short the rider's knees are 
 too high, the seat is forced too far back and he is unable 
 to sit down in the saddle ; hence is less secure. 
 
 Position of the Foot in the Stirrup. — At least one- 
 third of the foot should be inserted in the stirrup ; the 
 heel should be sliglitly lower than the toe an'd the ball 
 of. the foot should rest upon the tread. (Notes d'Bqni- 
 tation.) 
 
 The following are the uses to which the legs 
 are put : 
 
 1. To produce the forward movement. 
 
 2. To range the haunches. 
 
 3. To bring the hind legs forward under the body. 
 The Equal Action of Both Legs. — The most import- 
 ant duty of the legs is to act together for the purpose of 
 
Horse Training by Mode:rn Methods. 25 
 
 giving or sustaining impulsion. This action should com- 
 mand the forward movement and its acceleration. To 
 obtain this result, the legs can act by simple pressure of 
 the knees or by pressure of the knees and calves. The 
 pressure of only the knees is sufficient with delicate 
 horses, l)ut with others the pressure of the calves has to 
 be added to that of the knees. The more energetic the 
 pressure and the farther behind the girths it is, the great- 
 er the result produced. Usually the action of the leg is 
 strong enough if it is placed against or a little in rear 
 of the girth. If the action there is not sufficient, it 
 may be carried back a little^ — never, however, to reach 
 an angle of 45 degrees. The perfection to aim at is to 
 have the leg move almost imperceptibly and vary its ef- 
 fects only by different shades of pressure; but with a 
 horse that does not respond sufficiently to the demands, 
 it becomes necessary to carr}^ the leg back a little by 
 bending the kn^e and keeping the heels low. The in- 
 clination of the leg to an angle of 45 degrees is the very 
 maximum, which it is unscientific and useless to pass or 
 even to reach, so that if the action of the leg is not ef- 
 
26 Horse Training ey Modi;rn AItcthods. 
 
 ficacioiis under these conditicms, we must turn to more 
 energetic methods. But httle trouble is experienced in 
 teaching riders not to carry the legs too far back. The 
 reverse is usually the case. 
 
 The above method failing, the next to try is consec- 
 utive thumpings with the calf of the leg, not very pro- 
 nounced, but repeated until the result sought is obtained. 
 At the instant the legs should cease their action, and 
 should repeat it only when the need again is felt. 
 
 If this means is not sufficient, there is nothing to do 
 but come to blows with the legs. These are executed 
 by slightly carrying to one side the calf and ramming 
 it against the horse with a violence proportionate to the 
 result to be obtained. This movement ought to be done 
 without raising the knees or sticking them out, the lower 
 part of the legs being independent of tlie rest of the body 
 in order that the seat and the hand be not deranged. 
 This manner of getting action upon the horse ought not 
 to be continued for a long time, even if its effect is not 
 sufficient or lasting. Like every violent movement, this 
 one ought to be exceptionfal, and rather than repeat it 
 
HoRSK Training ijy Modern Methods. 27 
 
 frequently, it is better to have recourse to short, ener- 
 getic action of the spurs. 
 
 It is very necessary to avoid the frequent fault of 
 using the leg after sufficient action has l^een gotten out 
 of the horse or of continuing the demands when they are 
 already obeyed. Tlien the impulsion of the horse is aug- 
 mented in a manner prejudicial to the desired result, 
 which necessitates the action of the hand to oppose the 
 augmented impulsion falsely ordered by the legs. 
 
 Unequal Action of the Legs. — When one leg is used 
 more than the otlier^ the haunches are displaced to the 
 opposite vside. The horse is then said "to range his 
 haunches." This effect is often useful in preventing the 
 horse; from slipping out sideways, in straightening him, 
 and in making him change directions, etc. ; but its great- 
 est utility lies in permitting the rider to range the haunch- 
 es and traverse the horse, which movements are essential 
 to the main instruction in the mental and physical sup- 
 pling of the horse. 
 
 The rules for the use of both legs apply equally well 
 to the use of one leg, as regards place of contact and 
 
28 HoRSF, Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 manner of graduating the intensity of action. {''Equal 
 Action of Both Legs and Unequal Action of the Leg," 
 from ''Elementary Equitation," by De Saint-Phalle.) 
 
 To Bring the Hind Legs Porivard Under the 
 Horse. — Due to contraction of the muscles prockiced by 
 the tickhng sensation of the leg or spur upon the side, 
 the horse mechanically brings his hind legs up under the 
 body when so forced. This bringing up of the hind legs 
 places the control of the movement of the mass in their 
 power, because the center of gravity is nearer their base. 
 Hence the leg movements become more elevated, the 
 speed less fast, and the horse more handy and more eas- 
 ily controlled. 
 
 . Mutual Support by the Legs. — If one leg acts to 
 range the haunches, the other should receive the mass to 
 limit and control the movement. Both legs should be at 
 all times close enough to the horse to act accurately, 
 quickly, and without abruptness in order to assist each 
 other. 
 
 When a Horse Is "Behind the Legs." — When a horse 
 refuses to move forward after the equal action of both 
 
HoRvSe: Training by Modern Me:thods. 29 
 
 legs is produced, he is said to be ''behind the bit" and Hke- 
 wise "behind the legs.'' A horse in this state is beyond 
 the control of the rider, and every means should be ex- 
 erted to force the horse with the legs up into the bit 
 again. 
 
 The Spur. — The spur should not be; used until the 
 seat is secure. If the pressure of the calves of the legs 
 is sufficient to command impulsion, the spur should not 
 be resorted to. 
 
 Resistances are provoked if the spur remains in the 
 side continuously, and the animal becomes disobedient 
 and on the defensive. Continued contact should be, re- 
 placed by repeated contacts of short duration of an inten- 
 sity to fit the case. 
 
 The length of the spur varies with the length of the 
 stirrup-leathers, the length of the leg of the rider, and 
 the form of the horse. A general rule is that the spur 
 should be of such a length as to be easily used with- 
 out danger of unintentional usage during sudden dis- 
 placements. 
 
30 Horse Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 The Reins. 
 
 In the training of the horse the reins should be held 
 in two hands. vSin^le reins should be held as prescribed 
 in the Cavalry Drill Rgiilations. 
 
 The following' important rule should always be ob- 
 served : The pressure of the rider's legs, or of his heels, 
 must always precede any action of the hand; in other 
 wordsi, the bit does not go back to the horse, but the horse 
 goes forward against the bit. 
 
 It has been shown that by the action of the legs im- 
 pulsion is produced in the horse, which causes a stretch- 
 ing of the neck to the front in order to begin or accel- 
 erate the forward movement. If as the head and neck 
 stretch out the forward movement of the bit in the mouth 
 is arrested by the hand, the bit is brought into stronger 
 contact with the bars of the mouth, which produces its 
 action. The action of the reins is thus produced after 
 the action of the legs' has produced its efTect. 
 
 Kinds o^ Reins. {De Saint-Phalle.) 
 Open Rein. — This rein is used in turning the horse. 
 The right rein, for example, is said to be open if the 
 
Horse; Training by Modern MpvThods. 31 
 
 right hand is carried to the right and front. Reinis are 
 so used for the particular effect they have upon the 
 horse's head. The need of them, is felt especially in the 
 training of green horses^ but also with a horse that re- 
 fuses to turn and carries his head in the opposite direc- 
 tion from that in which the rider desires him to go. 
 When the right rein is open, the horse's head will be 
 drawn to the right and he will be assisted in moving in 
 that direction. 
 
 Direct Rein. — This rein acts parallel to the axis of 
 the horse without intermediary actions upon the neck. 
 Reins used in this manner bring a little of the V; eight to 
 the side on which they act, which with an obedient horse 
 suffices to make him turn to that side. Tt is. also used 
 in turning the horse's head at the poll so that the horse 
 may look in the direction toward which he is going. 
 
 Rein of Support. — The right rein, for example, is 
 called the right rein of support when the right hand 
 moves from right to left and the right rein hence bears 
 against the neck. It has different effects according to 
 the point towards which its action is directed. For ex- 
 
I 
 
 32 HoRSiC Training by Modern Me;thod3. 
 
 ample, if the hand is moved towards the front of or over 
 the left shoulder, the efiect is to bring the weight of the 
 forehand towards that shoulder; or if the direction of 
 the right rein of support passes in rear of the withers, 
 the effect is felt by the increased' weight on the left 
 haunch; or if the action of the rein in' this direction is 
 sufficiently strong, it can either lead to the displacement 
 of the haunches towards the left by setting the left 
 shoulder, or displace simultaneously the shoulders and 
 the haunches towards the left by pushing the horse en- 
 tirely to that side. 
 
 The effect of the rein of support is extremely power- 
 ful in preventing the horse from slipping out on its side, 
 or in restraining the horse from turning in the opposite 
 direction. 
 
 Rein of Opposition. — If the rider opens the right 
 rein slightly and pulls either in the direction of the right 
 haunch or the direction of the left haunch, the rein is 
 called the right rein of opposition. He is then said to 
 set the shoulders in opposition to the haunches. {Notes 
 d'Bquitation.) 
 
Horse Training by Modern Methods. 33 
 
 General Rule. — A general rule is, that at all times 
 contact is kept with the mouth by the reins through the 
 medium of the bit. The reins never flop. There are 
 two exceptions to this rule allowable: during complete 
 abandon, as at the walk; and momentarily, during flex- 
 ions, as will be shown later. 
 
 The Seat. — The seat is an aid when it changes the 
 support of the body from one buttock to the other to 
 assist the horse in lateral movements. This movement 
 helps to carry the center of gravity of the horse to the 
 side toward which the movement is desired. Similarly 
 an increase in the weight placed on one stirrup is an aid. 
 
 The upper part of the body by leaning forward or 
 back likewise assists the horse in moving the center of 
 gravity forward and back. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Thk Forward MoyEmknt. 
 
 The horse being now able to be mounted, the fol- 
 lowing exercises may be undertaken: 
 
 The horses are taken into the riding-hall, if available, 
 and the riders instructed to work without regard to dis- 
 tances. It is a bad plan to work in groups, especially 
 with younjg horses, as they soon become accustomed to 
 remaining in ranks and refuse to leave. 
 
 The forward movement, as has been stated, is the 
 most important lesson in training, and it is continually 
 taught during the erytire course of instruction. 
 
 The Walk. — To take the walk from the halt, both 
 legs should be made to be felt, gradually increasing their 
 intensity until the setting in motion is produced. The 
 fingers and wrists give, to allow the neck to stretch out. 
 The horse should- be set inl motion in the direction of his 
 
 34 
 
HoRsi: Training by Modkrn Mietiiods. 35 
 
 axis by symmetrical use of the aids. The movement 
 should be smooth, but without hesitancy. 
 
 In, order to keep the start from being sudden, the 
 energy displayed in the use of the leg should conform to 
 the degree of sensitiveness of the horse. The movement 
 can be kept from being hesitatingly performed by pro 
 gressively, but without hesitancy, usdng such force as the 
 legs should have, and by giving the reins with the fingers 
 and wrist at the precise moment the neck tries to 
 stretch out. 
 
 The Trot. — This is the most advantageous gait to 
 take during the first lessons>, because: 
 
 1. It starts the horse straight ahead and helps to 
 bring him in hand. 
 
 2. Horses are less restless at this gait. 
 
 3. It is a natural pace. 
 
 4. It is a good suppling exercise for the horse. 
 The trot is not a fatiguing pace to the horse. He 
 
 can go a long distance continuously at a fair rate of 
 speed at this gait, because both fore and hind legs, re- 
 spectively, have the same amount of work to do, and the 
 
36 HoRSBv Training by Modern AIethods. 
 
 body can be easily maintained in a state of equilibrium, 
 as it is supported by diagonal supports. 
 
 The rider, if in the flat saddle, except at slow gaits, 
 should rise to the trot during this exercise. The diag- 
 onal on which the rise is made should frequently be 
 changed. 
 
 The lightntess of the horse only comes with further 
 training. The rider up to this point tries little by lit- 
 tle to bring the horse under control by the following 
 exercises : 
 
 1. Moving to the front at a walk, then a trot. 
 
 2. Increasing and decreasing gaits. 
 3» Halting. 
 
 To Halt. — To execute this movement, lean back 
 slig^htly and gradually increase the pressure of the bit 
 on the mouth until the movement slows down and grad- 
 ually stops. Both legs should at the same time be carried 
 back to assist the horse in bringing the haunches up under 
 him. The horse should neither raise nor lower his head. 
 The whole mass of the neck should move toward the 
 withers. 
 
HoRSK Training by Modern Methods. 37 
 
 Halting the horse should often be practiced with 
 horses possessing a high, powerful croup and with those 
 inclined to forge ahead at all times. Those inclined to 
 fret, those whose legs are well set up under them, and 
 those thalj are difficult to keep up into the bit should sel- 
 dom be halted. 
 
 Especially during these lessons must the rider pay 
 strict attention to the even tension of the rein. At first 
 the rider must do all the work — that is, must tighten the 
 reins ; but later the horse, having become accustomed to 
 the pressure of the bit and always having the idea of go- 
 injg straight ahead, will of his own accord keep the reins 
 taut. 
 
 The Gallop. — Almost invariably the gallop lesson 
 should be begim early. This is an additional means of 
 suppling the horse, of strengthening him, extending him, 
 and pushing him straight ahead. It would be stupidity 
 to gallop frequently on a colt that drags his legs and' is 
 disunited at a trot and that has difficulty in holding up 
 the part essential to the training. On the other hand, 
 it isi proper to gallop repeatedly on, a vigorous horse that 
 
38 ,HoRSs: Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 has been worked before purchase, or on the horse with 
 good strong legs, particularly after he has been thorough- 
 ly confirmed in the correct trot. (Notes d' Equitation.) 
 
 To Take the Gallop by Extending the Trot. — To ac- 
 complish this movement, the rider needs only to take the 
 trot and by the use of both legs to push this gait up to 
 the poiilt where the horse leaves it to pass into the gallop. 
 
 To accomplish this without undue increase of speed, 
 put the horse on a circle of six or seven yards radius, 
 first trot around this- and then lengthen the trot until the 
 horse escapes into the gallop. When he is calm and the 
 rider feels confidence in himself, the rider may leave the 
 circle and rejoin the track on the same hand. 
 
 As long as the rider does not wish to make abrupt 
 changes of direction, but gallops on a large circle or on 
 the track, it makes little difference whether the horse is 
 galloping true or false, and it is useless for the rider to 
 bother about the leads at this stage of the training. (De 
 Saint-Phalle.) 
 
 When the horse begins to understand the gallop and 
 takes it calmly, the correct lead, which is explained on 
 
Horse: Training by Mode:rn Methods. 39 
 
 page 61, may be undertaken, at present, by the following 
 aids : Both legs to increase the gait from the trot to the 
 gallop ; outside rein to prevent tli^ haunches from swing- 
 ing to the outside and which precludes the liability to a 
 false lead 
 
 {Note. — "Outside" always means the outside of a 
 circle, or, if on the track, the side towards the wall.) 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 * 
 Mechanism of the; Gaits. 
 
 The Walk. — This is a movement of four beats, and 
 is a pace in which all the leg's move, respectively, one 
 after the other. If, for instancy, the left fore leads, the 
 sequence is : 
 
 1. Left fore. 
 
 2. Right hind. 
 
 3. Right fore. 
 
 4. Left hind. 
 
 If the near hind begins, it will be : 
 
 1. Left hind. 
 
 2. Left fore. 
 
 3. Right hind. 
 
 4. Right fore. 
 
 Each foot comes to the ground after the one that 
 
 precedes it at an interval of about half the time occupied 
 
 taking onie step. The result of this is that we have the 
 
 following order of supports : 
 
 40 
 
Horse Training by Modern Methods. 41 
 
 1. Right laterals (right fore and right hind). 
 
 2. Right diagonals (right fore and left hind). 
 
 3. Left laterals. 
 
 4. Left diagonals. 
 
 As a rule, a horse begins the walk with a fore leg. 
 (Hayes.) 
 
 The Trot. — This is a movement of two beats. The 
 diagonal feet are on the ground at the same time. The 
 order of supports is : 
 
 1. Right diagonal. 
 
 2. Moment of suspension. 
 
 3. Left diagonal. 
 
 4. Moment of suspension. 
 
 The Pace. — This is a movement of two beats, like 
 the trot, except the support is by the laterals instead of 
 the diagonalsi. The order of supports is: 
 
 1. Right lateral, 
 
 2. Moment of suspension. 
 
 3. Left lateral. 
 
 4. Moment of suspension. 
 
42 Horse Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 The Gallop. — The gallop is an iinsymmetrical gait 
 of three beats. It is called unsymmetrical because the 
 two front legs make diissimilar movements, likewise the 
 two hind. Two different combin(ations take place, which 
 are called "gallop right" and "gallop left." The moment 
 of taking each new point of support is called a beat. 
 
 In the gallop right the points of support are taken 
 in the following order: 
 
 1. Left hind. 
 
 2. Left diagonal (left front, right hind). 
 
 3. Right front. 
 
 4. Moment of suspension. 
 
 The gallop lelft is as( follows : 
 
 1. Right hind. 
 
 2. Right diagonal (right front, left hind). 
 
 3. Left front. 
 
 4. Moment of suspension. 
 
 A horse galloping right, for instance, seems to have 
 the right legs always in front of the left. The rider can 
 tell by seeing if tha right shoulder is further advanced 
 than the l^ft. If the horse gallops right in front and left 
 behind, the rider can feel an unusual stiff movement be- 
 neath him. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 Changks of Direction. 
 
 The horse being able to move forward and to de- 
 crease and inScreasie gaits with reasonable accuracy, 
 changes of direction may be undertaken. 
 
 First Exercise. — The horse being at the walk, force 
 the horse forward with both legs, use the open rein, and 
 if he moves off at an angle oblique Ijo the originial di- 
 rection, although the divergence may be small, it is 
 satisfactory. 
 
 Second Exercises. — The horse being at the walk, usie 
 the right or left leg to help carry the haunches around 
 to the left or right ; use the right or lecft rein of opposi- 
 tion to turn the horse to the right or left irp a direction 
 perpendicular to the oiriginal. The rein of opposition is 
 used to combat the haunches with the shoulder. The 
 horse not yet knowing the meaninjg of the preponderant 
 use of one/ leg of the rider, the shoulder combating the 
 
 43 
 
44 HoRSK Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 haunch will make the haunch swing around, and if the 
 hors|e(. every time he is obliged to swing his haunches 
 by the rein of opposition, feels the rider's leg on that 
 side, he will begin to associate the use oi the leg with the 
 swinging of the haunches. 
 
 Third Exercise. — As the horse begins to under- 
 stand the meaning of the use of one leg, gradually lessen 
 the use of the rein of opposition as an open rein, until 
 it finally becomes a direct rein, used only to turn the head 
 slightly in the njew direction. As the rein of opposition, 
 or open rein, is diminished, supposing it to have been the 
 right rein, gradually bring into play the left rein of sup- 
 port to force the fore quarters to the right in the new 
 direction. As to the legs : Have both ready to main- 
 tain the impulsion, and each ready to act singly in case 
 the hind feet do not foll(ow in the track of the fore feet 
 in making the change of direction. The hind legs being 
 the propellers, and the maximum of power being always 
 desirable, for purely mechanical reasons the greatest 
 power of the hind legs is obtained when they follow in 
 the same path as the fore legs, during turns. 
 
Horse: Training by Modern Me:thods. 45 
 
 {Note. — The third exercise should not be undertaken 
 until the horse has accomplished most of the exercises 
 of Lateral Equitation, explained in following chapters.) 
 
 Abouts, circles, figures of eight, and serpentines are 
 exercises, named in order of difficulty, which may be un- 
 dertaken to accomplish the same result as the above 
 exercises, with greater exactness. All these exercises 
 should be practiced at the walk until proficient before 
 attempting them at the slow trot. The rider sits the 
 slow trot. 
 
 The About on the Forehand at a Halt. — With 
 horses that are naturally impulsive and are continually 
 endeavoring to forge to the front, abouts on the forehand 
 from the halt may be practiced at this stage of the train- 
 ing. With horses of exaggerated impulsiveness it may 
 sometimes be undertaken earlier. The exercise should 
 come later for less impulsive horsesi. The movement 
 should always be completed by moving the horse straight 
 to the front. The about on the forehand should always 
 be about the inside leg as a pivot, for otherwise the move- 
 ment is a retrograde one and tends to put the horse be- 
 hin4 the bit. 
 
 / 
 
46 Horse; Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 It must be understood that at this stage of training, 
 that is, during lateral equitation {explained on page 50), 
 the about on the forehand is not a finished movement. 
 The aids to be used are: To execute an about on the 
 forehand to the right; both legs to arouse impulsion; the 
 right leg to swiiig the haunches; the right rein of oppo- 
 sition to assist the right leg; the left rein to assist the 
 right in its second function of preventing the horse from 
 moving forward. The left leg is always ready to pre- 
 vent the horse from backing. 
 
 About on the Forehand (Dismounted), — With some 
 horses that are particularly difficult to teach the use of 
 the leg as an aid, dismounted work may be resorted to. 
 Short lessons only sihould be| given. 
 
 Working on the left side, seize the reins six or eight 
 inches from the bit in the left hand. Stand facing the 
 horse and with the riding-whip touch him in rear of the 
 girth where the rider's leg would ordinarily come when 
 used as an aid. Increase the force of the whip, begin- 
 nling with light taps, until the horse swings his haunches 
 away from the whip. The left hand prevents the horse 
 
Horse Training by Modern Methods. 47 
 
 moving either forward or backward. If at first the 
 horse fails to move his haunches, he may be assisted in 
 doing so by bringing the head sHghtly toward the side 
 of the trainer. This opposes the head to the haunches 
 and assists the actioni of the whip. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Outdoor Work. 
 
 From the moment the horse will go straight ahead 
 outdoor work is in some; cases a necessity and in all cases 
 to a greater or less extetit desiirable. 
 
 Horses which tend to get behind the bit or which do 
 not let themselves out should frequently have outside 
 work alterrnated with hall work. The horse being grad- 
 ually educated to a good free trot should be given them 
 outdoors, allowing time enough between trots for the 
 horse to assume normal breathing. Outdoor work should 
 take placq with normal horsies two days a week. 
 
 All horses need fresh outdoor air occasionally. 
 
 Horses that are inclined to bolt or forge ahead con- 
 tinually, or tho'se that, throw most of the weight on the 
 forehand, need much more hall work than outdoor work. 
 
 Young horses especially should be given trots on 
 soft ground. No horse should be galloped on; hard roads. 
 
 48 
 
HoRSK Training by Modern Methods. 49 
 
 Soft ground means tiirf or dirt roads, not plowed land 
 or stone-built roads. The gallop is undertaken outdoors 
 only when the horse can be made to lead from either foot. 
 
 By going in pairs nervous horses do not fret while 
 outdoors, as much as though alone. It is likewise bet- 
 ter not to maintain a formation in ranks while outdoors, 
 any more than necessary, in order to prevent the new 
 horses from acquiring the habit of going in ranks and 
 refusing to leave. 
 
 During the last part of outdoor exercise the horse 
 should) be walked so that he is returned to tlie stable 
 breathing normally. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Suppling Exercises with Body Bent. 
 
 Different Kinds of Equitation. — When, for example, 
 the right rein and left leg are used to assist each other 
 in moving the haunches, it is called lateral equitation. 
 When the reinsi place the forehand and the legs alone 
 control the hindhand, as, for example, if the left rein 
 and right leg are used, it is called diagonal equitation. 
 
 .Lateral, Equitation. 
 
 The followin(g points should be considered during 
 the exercises in lateral equitation: 
 
 1. One step taken correctly is at first all that should 
 be expected or required. 
 
 2. As the movements are fatiguing, they should at 
 no time be continued more than a few seconds. 
 
 3. Horses that are stiff on onle particular side 
 should be suppled by exercises to that side. 
 
 50 
 
Horse: Training by Mode:rn Me:thods. 51 
 
 4. The preceding rule applies tO' all parts of the 
 horse except the neck. If the neck is stiff on the right 
 side, supple it by exercises, as ''Shoulder In" (see below), 
 on the left hand. (Capt. Short.) 
 
 5. The movements are all begun at a walk and, 
 when proficient in thettii, are executed at a slow trot. 
 
 6. When the movements are executed on a circle, 
 where the fore quarters are on one circumference and the 
 hind quarters either on a larger or a smaller cicumfer- 
 ence, the effect, besides being on,e of suppling, is as fol- 
 lows : When the haunches are on a smaller circumfer- 
 ence the horse tends toward collection, his hind quarters 
 tend to come up under the body, and it is a good move- 
 ment for a horse that forges ahead; when the hind quart- 
 ers are on a circle of greater circumference than the fore 
 quarters the horse tends to be forced up into the bit and 
 to stretch out behind, hence it is a useful movement with 
 sluggish horses or horses that tend to get behind the bit. 
 
 7. When executiitg any of the following exercisies, 
 if the horse fails to respond to the action of both legs 
 and does not go up into the bit, cease the exercise at once 
 
52 Horse Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 and moive straight ahead at a trot or gallop and do not 
 return to the exercise until the horse is again into the bit. 
 
 First B.vcrcise in Suppling the Haunches. — This les- 
 son consists in abouts on the forehand while marching. 
 For example, marching on the right hand, leave the track 
 on a diagonal (oblique) and return to it by, a half turn to 
 the left exacted by a ve(ry pronounced action of the left 
 leg and left rein. This strongly marked lateral effect 
 carries the horse's haunthes to the right ; that is to sa}', 
 the horse while still gaining ground yields to the effect 
 of the leg (and left rein), and thus describes a half turn. 
 The same movement is executed while marching on the 
 left hand and the horsfe eventually swings the haunches 
 easily about the forehand, without halting, without strik- 
 ing the fetlocks, and without dancing. (Notes d'Bqui- 
 tation.) 
 
 The commands for this exercise are: 
 
 1. . Right oblique. 
 
 2. March. 
 
 1. On forehand. 
 
 2. Half turnt in reverse. 
 
 3. March. 
 
Horse Training by Modern Methods. 53 
 
 "Half turn" and "reverse" could, in this case, be 
 expressed "left half turn," but "in reverse" has partic- 
 ular significance, and the terms should be retained on 
 that account. 
 
 Haunches In. — This movement is one to exact obe- 
 dience to one leg while marching. , It continues the sup- 
 pling of the hind quarters and confirms the obedience 
 to the leg. It should be undertaken only when the horse 
 yields readily to the legs in previous exercises. 
 
 Marching on the right hand, use the left rein of op- 
 position and the left leg. It is sufficient if the' horse 
 swings his haunches to the right so that the left hind 
 foot steps on a line passing through the prints of the right 
 fore foot. The left rein of opposition assists the action 
 of the left leg. At first one s(tep is sufficient to demand 
 at a time. Repeat the movement several times, gradually 
 demanding more steps in the correct position. Never de- 
 mand the movement, at any one time, over a greater dis- 
 tance than the long side of the riding-hall. The follow- 
 ing cautions should be carefully observed: 
 
54 Horse Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 1. Never let the horse's body make an angle of 
 more than 45 degrees with the original direction. To 
 prevent this, use the inside leg. 
 
 2. Never let the gait diminish. To prevent this, 
 use both legs when necessary to demand impulsion. 
 
 3. Do not lean to the left when moving to the right. 
 The weight of the body should be slightly more upon the 
 right buttock when moving to the right. 
 
 4. Do not let the right rein be slack when moving 
 to the right. 
 
 Shoulder In. — This is a similar exercise to haunches 
 in, but more difficult and more useful. 
 
 This movement supples both forehand and hindhan ]. 
 
 To execute the movement when marching on the 
 right hand: 
 
 First use the right open rein and the left rein of 
 support, the fore quarters are then moved off the track 
 and the head turned to the right ; the right leg is then used 
 to push the mass from right to left andl the left 1^ to 
 receive the swinging of the haunches and to control the 
 impulsion. 
 
HoRSK Training by Modern Methods. 55 
 
 Cautions to Be Observed: 
 
 1. During the first lessons, after the fore quarters 
 have been moved off the track, to f aciHtate the movement 
 along the track, the outside rein may be slightly opened. 
 
 2. The reins prevent the lateral flexion of the neck 
 at the shoulders by holding the head firmly between them. 
 
 3. The fore quarters are sufficiently removed from 
 the track if the left fore foot and right hind tr.ivel along 
 the same path parallel to the track. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Diagonal Equitation. 
 Exercises with Body Straight. 
 
 General Rules for Diagonal Equitation : 
 
 1. Perfection is gained when the body of the horse 
 from the poll back is in a straight line. 
 
 2. The horse's head is always turned slightly at the 
 poll to enable him to see in the direction he' is going. 
 
 3. The reins set or place the forehand. 
 
 4. The legs govern the hindhand. 
 
 5. The green horse is never passaged directly to 
 the right or l^eft. The direction of motion should not 
 be more than 45 degrees from the direction of the axis 
 of the horse. 
 
 Work on Tzvo Tracks. — This movement consists in 
 displacing the horse parallel to himself in a direction ob- 
 lique to that of his axis^ the front and hind legs describ- 
 
 56 
 
Horse Training by Modern Methods. 57 
 
 ing four parallel tracks. The exterior members cross 
 over the in|terior ones. 
 
 The following are the aids in order to move a horse 
 on two tracks to the right : 
 
 1. Both legs, if sufficient momentum is not already 
 obtained, should send the horse up into the bit to receive 
 the indications of the reins. 
 
 2. The right direct rein\ makes the horse look to the 
 side toward which he should march, and by throwing the 
 weight slightly tO' the right begins the displacement of 
 the center of gravity towards the right. The left rein 
 of support acts at the same time as the preceding, to in- 
 sure the lateral displacement of the forehand to the right 
 by further displacing the center of gravity. 
 
 3. The left leg, at this moment, becomes prepond- 
 erant in order to direct the haunches to the right, while 
 the right leg acts if necessiary to limit the displacement 
 of the haunches, and toi oblige the horse to maintain his 
 gait and to gain ground to the f ron^: as well as to the side. 
 
 4. The seat is displaced towards the right to aid 
 the horse's movement to that side. \De Saint-Phalle.) 
 
58 Horse: Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 The following are exercisesi on two tracks: 
 
 1. On Tzvo Tracks, Haunches In. — A two-track 
 movement along the track, with the head to the wall, in 
 which the haunches move on an inside track, the horse 
 being in the position described above for the work on two 
 tracks and being governed by similar aids. 
 
 2. On Tzvo Tracks, Haunches Out. — Same as above, 
 except the croup is to the wall and the fore quarters move 
 on an inside track, the hind quarters on the track. 
 
 3. On Two Tracks on the Diagonal. — A movement 
 in which a horse moves across the hall on the diagonal 
 on two tracks. 
 
 4. On Two Tracks on a Circle. — Described by its 
 name. The haunches being on a smaller or larger cir- 
 cle than the fore quarters. The same principles apply 
 in each case as described for work on two tracks. 
 
 Commands. 
 
 For First Exercise. — i. On two tracks. 2. Haunch- 
 es in. 3. March. 
 
Horse: Training by Modern Methods. 59 
 
 For Second Exercise. — i. On two tracks. 2. 
 Haunches out. 3. March. 
 
 For Third Exercise. — i. On two tracks. 2. Right 
 oblique. 3. March. 
 
 For Fourth Exercise. — i. On two tracks. 2. 
 Haunches in (or out). 3. March. {Foot-note to Saii- 
 mur Notes.) 
 
 About on the Forehand at a Halt. — To execute this 
 movement from left to right the aids are as follows : 
 
 1. Cari-y the weight of the mass over the shoulders 
 by the equal action of both legs. 
 
 2. Just as the horse is about to move out, close the 
 fingers on the reins and pre^^ent furdier advance. 
 
 3. Usb the right rein of support to bring the weight 
 upon the left shoulder. 
 
 4. Use the left direct rein to turn the horse's head 
 to the left at the poll. 
 
 5. Use the left leg to move the haunches to the 
 right. 
 
6o Horse Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 6. The right leg remains ready to maintain the ad- 
 vanced position of the center of gravity and Hkewise to 
 limit the ^movement of the haunches to that side. 
 
 7, The seat should be carried to the right to facil- 
 itate the displacement of the haunches to that side. 
 
 About oil the Haunches. — This movement is more 
 difficult than the about on the forehand and should be 
 undertaken only after the work on two tracks is well 
 understood. 
 
 The movement is first taught by moving the horse 
 on two tracks on a/ small circle; for example, to the right, 
 with haunches in. 
 
 Gradually decreas^e the diameter of the circle as the 
 horse becomes proficient. As the circle becomes smaller 
 change the direction of the rein so that the direction of 
 the pull is toward the right haunch to weight the latter 
 down. Likewise increase the pressure of the left leg un- 
 til it is sufficient to prevent little by little any movement 
 on the part of the haunches. The circle then is finally 
 diminished soi that the movement is that of a circle on 
 the part of the forehand about the right hind leg as a 
 
Horse: Training by Mode:rn Me:thods. 6i 
 
 pivot. If the movement should be about the left hind 
 leg, or outside leg, as a pivot, it becomes a retrograde 
 movement, which is liable to put the horse behind the bit. 
 
 The Gallop. — Heretofore the gallop has been under- 
 taken merely as a means of exercise to strengthen and 
 stretch out the horse and to teach him a Httle in balanc- 
 ing himself by the usie of his legs. Noi attention was 
 paid at first to the leads; later a little lateral equitation 
 was used to partially insure the correct )ead. 
 
 A horse is leading correctly when the right laterals 
 (right front and right hind) are in advance of the left 
 laterals, when turning! to the right. This is called "lead- 
 ing right." A horse is gallopin)g disunited when lie i^i 
 gallopirug one way in front and another way) in rear. 
 
 On) small circles or sudden turns of direction a horse 
 is liable t6 fall if not leading correctly. 
 
 The Right Lead. — To require a horse to lead to the 
 right, the aids are: 
 
 I. Weight of the body to the left, weight in left 
 stirrup in order to weight down the left haunch. 
 
62 HoRSK Training by Mode:rn Me:thods. 
 
 2. Use of the left leg to cause the haunches to be 
 displaced to the right, consequently requiring the right 
 lateral to pass the left. 
 
 3. U;se the right leg to join its action to that of 
 the left to give the nJpcessar}^ impulsion and to receive 
 the haiuiches and prevent! their being moved too far to 
 the right. 
 
 The horse being driven by the legs up into the bit, 
 is received by the reins in the following manner: 
 
 4. Right rein- of support exerted in a direction to- 
 ward the left shoulder to weight the latter, for it must 
 be slowed down ; at the same time this movement frees 
 the right shoulder and allows it to extend itself. The 
 horse is made to slightly turn the head to the right at 
 the poll in order that he may see in the direction in which 
 he is going.* 
 
 '''Note. — For paragraphs 4 and 5 the following paragraphs, 
 showing a method of using the reins, may he substituted. 
 This method is taught by some of the best authorities in our 
 service. It certainly can be reasoned out as well as that men- 
 tioned above, it is more easy to put in practice and produces re- 
 sults in a scientific manner. 
 
 "i. Use the left direct rein to weight the left shoulder. 
 
Horse: Training by Modern Methods. 63 
 
 5. Left direct rein corroborates the action of the 
 right and keeps the neck straight. {De Saint-Phalle.) 
 
 6. If the gallop is taken from the trot while post- 
 ing, 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 per- 
 ceptibly swing his haunches to the right or left. 
 
 "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 Hghtening the weight on the right shoulder, 
 thereby assisting to free it." 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Backing. 
 
 This exercise is a suppling one for back and haunch- 
 es, and is especially applicable to horses who have diffi- 
 culty in bringing the hin|d 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 advanjtageously taught dis- 
 mounted at first. 
 
 Teaching the Backward Movement, Dismounted: — 
 The trainer stands facing the horse. He takes the reins 
 one in each hand and slightly lowers the head to relieve 
 the weight on the hind quarters. He then makes a slight 
 
 64 
 
Horse: Training by Modern Methods. 65 
 
 movement with his hands towards his own body, suffi- 
 cient tO' prepare the horse to move forward. As the 
 horse is about to move out the trainer presses directly 
 toward the horse with the bit until the horse takes a step 
 to the rear. One step at first is sufficient. 
 
 After a few lessons of this, the trainer steps to the 
 
 ■ 
 
 left side of the horse, with the reins in the left hand, the 
 riding-whip in the right. He stimulates the hind quart- 
 ers with a light touch of the whip, and as the horse starts 
 to move his hind quarters up under his body he urges 
 him to take a step to the rear by the pressure of the bit. 
 As soon as he takes a step or two as desired, he leads him 
 forward. 
 
 Mounted. — When, the horse can perform the last 
 exercise well, mount him. Use the aids requij'ed to 
 move the horse to the front; then, just as he is about to 
 move outj increase the pressure of the reins and lean 
 slightly back until the hors'e steps to the rear. As soon 
 as the horse at first has taken a single step to the rear he 
 should be moved straight to the front. Later several 
 steps to the rear may be required, but a movement to the 
 
 5 
 
66 Horse Training by Modern Me^thods. 
 
 front always follows the last step. If difficulty is at any 
 time encountered in moving the horse forward after the 
 backward movement, backing should cease as an exercise 
 until the horse is sent up into the bit again. 
 
 If the horse sets himself, move him forward a step 
 or two, and as he is moving exert the aids for the back- 
 ward movement until he obeys. Moving a horse's 
 haunches laterally will help to prevent a horse from set- 
 ting himself and refusing to back. 
 
 This exercise should not be repeated often in a sin- 
 gle day. ' , 
 
PART II. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The: Doubi^e Bridi^e;. 
 
 The horse that can perform successfully the fore- 
 going exercises, that has found his balance while moving 
 forward, that is easy to control by the aids at the walk 
 and trot, and that has learned the use of his legs in ac- 
 complishing a good walk, trot, and gallop, is ready for 
 the double bridle. It normally takes about three months 
 to accomplish this. 
 
 Definition. — The double bridle is one with usually 
 four cheek straps, which fasten, one into the eye of the 
 curb bit. the other into the ring of the snaffle bit. 
 
 The curb bit is nearer the front of the horse's mouth 
 than the snaffle, and the curb chain likewise passes in 
 front of the snaffle bit. 
 
 67 
 
68 Horse: Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 The Severity of the Curb Bit Increases — 
 
 1. With the difference between the length of the 
 upper and lower branches. 
 
 2. With the tightness of the curb chain. 
 
 3. With the height of the port. 
 
 4. Inversely witli! the size of the canons. {De 
 Saint-Phalle.) 
 
 Bits with branches similar in length to the U. S. reg- 
 ulation bit are arranged below in order of mildness: 
 
 1. The broken curb bit. (Like a snaffle bit, but 
 with upper and lower branches and curb chain.) 
 
 2. Rubber- and leather-covered bits. 
 
 3. The straight bar bit. 
 
 4. The regulation bit. 
 
 Kinds.— "Th^ ''Weymouth" or "Pump" bit is quite 
 universally used for polo. Why it is considered effica- 
 cious for polo especially is not known. It is a good bit, 
 except the lips are liable to become pinched. 
 
 The "Pelham" is a bit provided with ring's for the 
 snaffle rein at the junction of the canon with the branch- 
 es. The action of the curb rein|s on this bit does not 
 
HoRSK Training by Modern Methods. 69 
 
 produce the same effect, when the snaffle reins are used 
 at the same time, as it does on a curb bit, where the snaf- 
 fle reins are attached to a separate snaffle bit. 
 
 It isi a general rule to follow, that all complicated 
 bits are useless, and that with a well-trainied horse the 
 mildest bit that will insure obedience is the correct one. 
 
 Schedule eor Accustoming the Horse to the 
 
 Curb Bit. 
 
 The reins are held in both hands, snaffle rein? out- 
 side the little fingers. 
 
 1. Use the curb bit without curb chain until the 
 horse becomes accustomed to it. 
 
 2. Use the mildest bit available and fasten the curb 
 chain loosely. At first only move on straight lines until 
 the horse takes the bit quietly, then execute simple ex- 
 ercises in which the horse is proficient. These exercises 
 at first are begun on the snaffle bit. 
 
 3. Use the bit best adapted to the horse, and set 
 the curb chain to keep the bit from falling through. 
 
70 Horse: Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 Work maiqly on the snaffle bit until the horse becomes 
 accustomed tO' the bit and curb chain. 
 
 The preceding movements should be begun at first 
 at a slow gait. 
 
 Use. — The curb bit is used primarily, in training, to 
 lower the head, to flex the jaw, and to bring the nose in 
 towards the body. 
 
 The sniffle bit raises the head and supports the horse. 
 
 A curb bit will not stop a horse that makes up his 
 mind to bolt; 
 
 A curb bit roughly used may cause a horse to make 
 up his mind to bolt. 
 
 A "hard mouth" is often a tender mouth accustomed 
 to hard hands. 
 
 The Curb Bit "Gathers" the Horse. — A horse is 
 gathered when his head and neck are well raised, the 
 front line of the face nearly vertical, ankl the jaw and 
 the junction of the head and neck at the poll flexible. 
 
 A hors(e in a state of ''collection" is in a position to 
 obey, to the utmost of his capability, any demands the 
 aids may give. 
 
Horse Training by Modern Methods. 71 
 
 A horse is in "collection" when he is gathered and 
 his hind legs are well up under the body. 
 
 When a hoTse is collected, the rider, by having omit- 
 ted bending the neck near the shoulders during training, 
 has the neck fioii on the shoulders and not flexible or 
 *' rubber-necked." Henpe the rider acts on the neck 
 through the mouth and on the shoulders through the 
 neck. The hind quarters by being under the horse bind 
 themselves to the forehand. The rider then by acting 
 on the forehand acts likewise upon the hind quarters. 
 
 The entire body of the horse should be, if properly 
 collected, an energetic and harmonious whole. The 
 horse is "in hand/' because his jaw is, flexible and he 
 yields to the effects of the bit. The horse is light or 
 handy, because he is balanlced by continual training and 
 because his center of gravity is equally near both front 
 and hind quarters ; hence the proper movement on the 
 part of the rider will disturb! this balance hi any direc- 
 tion desired. 
 
 The rider at this point, being; supposed to be able to 
 get the hind legs up under the horse, must learn to gath- 
 er him. 
 
"^2. Horse Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 To gather the horse involves : 
 
 1. Direct flexion (the flexion of the jaw and head 
 in the directioiil of the axis of the horse.) 
 
 2. Lateral flexion (the flexion of the neck at the 
 poll in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the horse). 
 
 Direct Flexion. — Direct flexion is the concession the 
 head and lower jaw of the horse make in the vertical 
 plane of the axis, of the horse when the action of the 
 reins arrests the extension of the neck. The giving of the 
 neck is confined to the upper portion^.; the front line of 
 the face is made to approach a vertical line and the head 
 is made to make in an almost imperceptible manner a 
 movement analogous to a nod. 
 
 The giving of the jaw consists in opening the mouth, 
 causing complete abandon of the bit, followed immediate- 
 ly by the closing of the mouth auKl the taking up of con- 
 tact with the bit again. 
 
 To flex the jaw in direct flexion, first start the Korse 
 into a walk. Never let the gait slacken during flexion. 
 Close the legs. When the horse) goes up into the bit, 
 close one hand on one snaftle rein (if the movement is 
 
HoRSK Training by Modern Me:thods. 73 
 
 done with a snaffle bit), or close the hand on both curb 
 reins. Do not make the pressure of long duration if re- 
 sistance is encoun/tered. Alternate the action, first by- 
 releasing, then increasing the pressure. This is more 
 uncomfortable to the horse than continued pressure, and 
 he will soon yield. 
 
 The head is flexed in\ direct flexion so that it is set 
 with the front line of the face nearly vertical by the action 
 of both curb reins. The head and neck are raised by the 
 snaffle bit, should they be lowered too much. 
 
 Lateral Flexion. — Lateral flexion is a concession 
 which the head and neck make by turning the head to 
 the right or to the left when an opposing action of the 
 reins stops an extension of the neck. The jaw gives 
 in lateral flexion as in direct flexion,. The neck gives by 
 making the head make a turn of a quarter of a circle to 
 the right or left at the poll. 
 
 Lateral flexion should be demanded, in the begin- 
 ning, at the walk. To obtain it, to the right, for exam- 
 ple : first, resistanice must be offered by the right direct 
 rein, which leads the head into the desired position ; the 
 
74 HoRSK Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 left rein then acts to* limit this movement and to work 
 together with the right rein to obtain the concession of 
 the jaw. 
 
 Flexion may be made dismounted, if absolutely im- 
 possible of execution mounted. 
 
 Direct Flexion Dismounted. — Stand on the near side 
 of the horsic. Take the snaffle reins off the neck over 
 the horse's head and hold them a few injches in front of 
 his head with the left hand. Urge the horse forward 
 into a walk and raise the head slightly to the proper ele- 
 vation with the snaffle reins. When the horse moves out 
 at the walk, take the curb reins in the right hand and as- 
 similate the movement of the reins as though flexing the 
 jaw mounted. Do not let the horse slacken speed or, at 
 any cost, back up. 
 
 Lateral Flexion Dismounted. — Stand on the near 
 side, with the snaffle rein held as for direct flexion. Ex- 
 ecute direct flexion and when performed lead the horse's 
 head to the right with a snaffle rein, increasing the pres- 
 sure of the right curb rein slightly until the head is turned 
 to the right at the poll. Do not let the horse move back- 
 
HoRSK Training by Modkrn Methods. 75 
 
 ward, nior let the neck flex in rear of the poll. The max- 
 imum movement of the head is over an arc of a circle 
 of 90 degrees. 
 
 ¥ 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 The: Change oe Lkad at thk Gai,i,op. 
 
 This movement is to be imdertaken when the horse 
 is capable of taking the desired lead from a trot on a 
 straight line. 
 
 1. Put the horsei on a circle of large radius, at 
 a gallop. Leave the circle by a line parallel to the diag- 
 onal of the ridinjg-hall and form another large circle to 
 the opposite hand, keeping the same lead at the gallop 
 as on the firsl^ circle. Galloping on the second circle with 
 the same leadi as on the first is galloping "false." Be- 
 sidCvSr lowering the croup and balaii^cing the horse, the 
 false lead impresses the aids upon the horse, because to 
 maintain a false lead the aids used' on the first circle 
 must be more strongly used on the second. 
 
 2. Gallop the horse on a straight line, leading right. 
 Bring him down to a trot, previously having changed 
 the aids to gallop left, which assists in bringing the horse 
 
 76 
 
Horse: Training by Modern Methods. ^^ 
 
 to the trot anfcl prepares,, the way for the next move. As 
 soon as the trot is taken, increase the aids of gallop left, 
 increase the impulsion, and setnd the horse into gallop 
 left, with only a few steps of the tret intervening be- 
 tween gallops. Gradually, as the horse becomes profi- 
 cient, decrease the number of steps taken at the trot. 
 
 3. When the amount of trot required between 
 changes of lead is hardly more than a slackening of 
 speed, or "half halt," make a large circle to the right at 
 the gallop, leading right. Leave the circle on the diag- 
 onal, as before, and make another circle to the left, hold- 
 ing the right lead. Change the aids, while on the second 
 circle, to gallop left, without coming to the trot, and force' 
 the horse into the change of lead. 
 
 4. When the horse can accomplish the above, at- 
 tempt the change of aids and force the char^ge of lead on 
 the straight line without diminishing the gait. 
 
 The above movements are very difficult to accom- 
 plish smoothly and correctly. The change of aids must 
 not be accomplished roughly and the aids must be used 
 with only the intensity required to change the lead, there- 
 by not forcing the horse to increase of speed. 
 
PART III. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Jumping. 
 
 Jumping is an exercise which when properly under- 
 taken is most instructive and productive of good results 
 to both man and horse. 
 
 Mkchanism of the Jump for Height. 
 (Jumping from the Gallop Left.) 
 
 1. As the left fore foot is about to leave the ground, 
 just before the moment of suspension of the gallop, the 
 leg, especially the fetlock joint, is straightened. 
 
 2. The head and neck are elevated. 
 
 The above movement raises the forehand. 
 
 3. Just as the left foot is raised the two hind legs 
 are brought up to a place on the ground about where the 
 left fore foot was. 
 
 78 
 
Horse Training by Modi:rn Me^thods. 79 
 
 4. The hind legs are straightened out. 
 
 Due to the last movement, the horse completely 
 leaves the ground and takes the obstacle, with fore and 
 hind legs ben^. 
 
 5. The horse lands on the left fore foot, legs 
 straight. 
 
 6. The right fore foot, leg straight, is then brought 
 to the support. 
 
 7. The left fore foot is picked up. 
 
 8. The right fore foot is picked* up and simulta- 
 neously the left hind comes to the ground. 
 
 9. The right hind comes, to the ground. 
 
 The horse then is galloping right after landing. 
 
 The horse leaps from a trot from one front leg and 
 both hind legs. The leap is more difficult, as it is im- 
 possible at a trot to get both hind legs side by side up 
 under the body to "take oflf." 
 
 From the walk and halt, the horse in jumping first 
 rears, then straightens out his hind legs. 
 
 As jumping for height at a gallop is the easiest for 
 a horse, and as the principles encountered apply equally 
 
8o Horse: Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 well to the other gaits, the following deductions are made 
 from the mechandsm at the gallop, as explained in pre- 
 vious paragraphs. 
 
 From Paragraph i : As the distance from the jump 
 to the place where the left leg leaves the ground is of the 
 utmost importance to the horse, he should be allowed 
 to gauge his stride while approaching the jump. 
 
 From Paragraph 2 : As the head and neck are 
 raised to assist in raising the fore quarters, the rider's 
 body should not lean forward of the perpendicular, for 
 this would hinder the movement. As the horse's object 
 is to lighten the fore quarters, it follows that great speed 
 is a detriment to a horse in jumping, for the more speed 
 the more weight upon the forehand. Raising the head 
 and neck necessitates lengthening the reins at the moment 
 of extension, or letting them slide through the fingers. 
 It followsi then, that, as a false movement of the hand 
 with a severe bit causes greater injury than one with a 
 snaffle bit, a snaffle bit should be used in jumping until 
 proficiency is obtained. 
 
Horse Training by AIodern Methods. 8i 
 
 From Paragraph 3 : To facilitate the bringing well 
 up under the body of the hind leg, the rider's legs must 
 be carried back. 
 
 From Paragraph 5 : The weight of the rider's bod)' 
 must set to thq rear to assist the horse by ligh.tening the 
 load on the forehand while landing. If a severe bit or 
 a hard hand pulls the head in and bends the neck while 
 the horse is in this position, by cramping the muscles of 
 the neck the horse is prevented from stretching his legs 
 to the front to insure a safe landing. 
 
 From paragraph 7: If the rider's weight is forward 
 
 or he is thrown upon the horse's neck while the horse is 
 
 « 
 
 landing, the extra weight on, the forehand prevents the 
 fore leg being ])icked up and causes over-reaching. Ex- 
 treme speed h'ls the same effect with the same result. 
 
 From Paragraphs 8 and 9: It is seen that the horse 
 is galloping with the other lead after landing. In jump- 
 ing in the riding-hall care should be exercised at the cor- 
 ner beyond the jump if at the gallop, for, if galloping 
 correctly at the start, the horse is galloping false after 
 T the jump. 
 
82 HoRSK Training by Modi^rn ^Methods. 
 
 Teaching the Horse to Jiniij^. — Place a bar upon the 
 ground and lead the horse over it at a walk. When the 
 horse executes this movement correctly, raise the bar to 
 about two feet and jump the horse upon the longe. 
 
 To Jump a Horse on the Longe: — First instruct the 
 horse sufficiently upon the longe until he goes ec|ually 
 well on either haiKl. Approach the jnmp, the horse cir- 
 cling on the longe on the left hand, for instance. The 
 trainer holds the longe in the left hand, so that it can be 
 allowed to run out with ease ; the longeing-whip is held 
 in the right hand. Circle the horse near the jump until 
 the horse goeS' quietly. The circles are made slightly in 
 rear of the jump. When the horse is quiet,. move so that 
 the jump will intercept the circle the horse is making. 
 As the horse approaches the jump the trainer, with the 
 longe fairly taut, likewise approaches the end of the bar 
 nearest him, keeping the longeing-whip held in rear of 
 the horse. Urge the horse with the whip, if necessary, 
 until he jumps. After taking off, let the longe run 
 through the fingers so as not to yank the horse or bring 
 
Horse Training by ATodkrn Methods. 83 
 
 him up short. When the horse does well, stop him and 
 caress him or give him carrots or oats. 
 
 Jumping should be begun at first at the walk, then 
 at the trot and gallop. The horse jumping for the first 
 time gauges his stride more easily at the walk. 
 
 A bar may be placed two or three feet from the 
 ground in the opening of the corral fence, etc., so that 
 the horses that have been worked at jumping on the 
 longe may be thus intercepted by an easy jump on their 
 way to\ the corral or to some such place to which they 
 are desirous of going. A man with a longeing - whip 
 stands ready to urge on any that refuse. This jump 
 should be stiff and helps to prepare horses ' for outdoor 
 jumping. 
 
 Riding the Horse Over fJie Jump. — The horse being 
 able to jump with sufficient accuracy, on the longe^ is 
 mounted. First, he is ridden over the bar on the ground, 
 then over the bar gradually raised to suit the horse. 
 
 On taking a horse up to the jump the following are 
 essential points to rememl)er : 
 
84 Horse Training by Modern Methods. 
 
 1. The rider must make up his mind that he is go- 
 ing to make the horse jump. 
 
 2. He must have confidence in his balance and not 
 stiffen his muscles. 
 
 3. He must increase the grip with his knees and 
 tlie calves of his legs and keep his, hands low, 
 
 4. The rider must have the horse well in band and 
 must remember that if a horse attempts to slip out to 
 the left, the use of the right rein, to turn the head to the 
 right, helps the horse to go to the left by freeing the left 
 shoulder. The rein of support is the one which should 
 be used, together with whichever leg will straighten the 
 horse so that he is perpendicular to his jump. 
 
 Horses are more easily controlled in the riding-hall, 
 l)ut jump with more freedom outdoors. Outdoor jump- 
 ing should be taken up as soon as the hoi'se learns to 
 jump moderately well indoors. 
 
 Wings are not found in 'crosis-country work, hence 
 a troops horse wdiose training is fitting him for just such 
 work should not be made dependent upon them by their 
 use in the riding-hall all the time. 
 
HoRSK Training by Modern Methods. 85 
 
 Jiunping for Breadth. — This is a more difficult jump 
 
 to teach a new horse, because he is more fearful of a 
 
 ditch than of. a fence. From the nature of the jump, it 
 
 can only be taught outdoors. The method of instruction 
 
 f is the same as for jumping for height. 
 
 As the momentum acquired by speed' is essential to 
 carry the horse's body across an open ditch, greater speed 
 is necessary than in jumping for height. Excessive 
 speed, however, so weights down the forehand that it 
 becomes difficult for the horse to raise his forehand 
 sufficiently to clear the ditch. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 Although all horses are different one from another, 
 the preceding rules generally apply. The rider who ap- 
 preciates the needs of his horse is^. the one most likely to 
 succeed in training. 
 
 To many, the expenditure of six months in training 
 troop horses by these methods seems unnecessary and 
 impracticable. With experienced men and amenable 
 
86 Horse I^rainixg by Modern Methods. 
 
 liorses the time may be slightly reduced. A horse can- 
 not be hurried, and slipshod, careless training is often 
 worse than none. 
 
 As it has been found entirely practical to follow out 
 this course with enlisted men on remounts at a regi- 
 mental post, it is to be hoped that he(avy, hard-gaited, 
 uncomfortable horses to ride will soon disappear from 
 the ranks. 
 
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