92 SYSTEM FOE TEAINING CAVALRY HORSES. 



liis shoulders, you are in little danger. The bridle must 

 be used in the left hand to guide him, pnlling to the 

 right or left, as occasion may require ; or by pulling 

 straight the horse may be fatigued, by being forced 

 to walk backward. The trainer is not to fatigue 

 himself more than he can help, but standing upright, 

 simply follow the horse about, guiding him with the 

 bridle. It must be admitted that to do this well re- 

 quires considerable nerve, coolness, patience, and at 

 times agility ; but the danger is more apparent than 

 real, though a high-couraged horse will make a stout 

 fight. AYhen held and guided properly, the horse 

 seldom resists more than ten minutes, at which time, 

 if not before, exhausted by his violent struggles, he 

 sinks forward on his knees, sweating profusely, and 

 with heaving flanks and shaking tail. (Yide plate 17.) 

 JSTow is the time to get him into a comfortable po- 

 sition for lying down ; if he is still stout, he may be 

 forced by the bit to walk backward. By pushing 

 gently at his shoulder, or by pulling steadily the off 

 rein, you can get him to fall on the side you may 

 wish ; but this assistance should be so slight that the 

 horse must not be able to resist it. The horse will 

 often make a final spring when you think he is quite 

 beaten ; but, at any rate, at length he slides over, and 

 lies down, panting and exhausted, on his side. Take 

 advantage of the moment to tie up securely the off 

 fore-leg to the surcingle ; for, as soon as he recovers 

 his wind, a horse will generally make a second fight. 



