PERFORMANCE OF HORSES AT LIBERTY. 73 



caprice, obstinacy, vice, or from ignorance, and in tliis 

 lies the only difficnlty. 



If the horse does not understand what yon want, 

 and you punish him because he does not understai^' 

 you, will "he then understand you better ? 



The first thing is to teach the horse to know wliai 

 you want ; and you must in various little clever ways 

 try to make him sensible of it, before you attempt to 

 impress it on his memory. 



Is it with blows that you will make him sensible 

 of it ? Certainly not : but make the object in view 

 as clearly perceptible to his faculties as you possibly 

 can : then, by punishment or caresses, applied at the 

 right moment, impress the movements required on 

 his memory. 



The prettiest work for the horse, is that wherein 

 he is almost entirely left to himself, and with this we 

 will begin. 



For this sort of training a circus is best ; the man 

 is nearer to his horse, and can more easily correct his 

 faults. 



TVe first teach the horse to remain on the track 

 near the boards, at a w^alk, trot, and gallop, then to 

 leave that track, and turn to the right or left. 



Put a surcingle on the horse with a ring in the pad, 

 to tie the snaflie or bit reins to ; tie these according 

 to the horse's action and the way he carries his 

 head ; then put on a cavesson, with a longe about 

 eleven yards long. 

 4 



