LUNGING A HORSE. 33 



prevent the legs filling and windgalls forming. If flannel 

 bandages are constantly left on, the tissues of the legs are apt 

 to become softened and the tendons to become stretched by 

 the action of the heat. 



If he tries to get away from me I let him go, my object 

 being to make him keep close to the wall. If he docs not try 

 to get away and turns towards me, I show him the driving 

 whip, the sight of which will make him get away as far as the 

 lunging rein will allow him. I hold the whip in my right 

 hand, the rein in my left, and I let the horse free to go at any 

 pace he likes. The object of walking the horse in this way 

 round the school is to make him examine the ground and all 

 the surrounding objects which are new to him. 



If he is lively he will probably plunge, and then canter or 

 trot, but he will soon steady down. If he is sluggish he will 

 be disinclined to go forward, and it may be necessary to 

 make him go on by showing him the whip. If that does not 

 produce the desired effect, we may touch him lightly on the 

 hind quarters, so as to make him trot or canter for about 

 five minutes. We should most carefully avoid making any 

 abrupt or rough movement which might frighten him. 



I have said that I would give the animal five minutes' work 

 at a fast pace, but, of course, would not do so unless he was 

 in good condition. If he was not fairly fit, the duration of 

 the work would be shorter during the first few lessons, and 

 would be gradually increased up to the five minutes' limit. 



When the horse has circled for five minutes to the left — 

 that is to say, with the left shoulder towards the inside of the 

 school — I throw the whip down and try to steady the horse by 

 my voice. I then shorten the lunging rein until he is close to 

 me. I speak softly to him and pat him on the neck, which is 

 a form of caress that all horses like. I also stroke his head, 

 if he will let me do so, and then unbuckle the lunging rein 

 and fix it to the off ring of the snaffle. 



3 



