LUNGING A HORSE. 35 



never certain except with a free-going horse. Although an 

 impetuous animal may get out of control and run a\va\-, I 

 prefer him to a sluggish horse. Pluck is the best quality in a 

 horse. 



I have always obtained a good result with my equine pupil, 

 who quickl}' loses fear of the things which surround him, 

 because he has no one on his back to hamper his movements 

 and upset him. I easily obtain my result without a struggle, 

 and without having to put up with the plunges and shies of a 

 horse which has been mounted too soon, and which is liable 

 to roll over on the ground with me, on account of the 

 awk\\'ard use of his feet. 



It is of great advantage to teach a horse to know, bear and 

 fear the lunging whip ; because if, later on, he refuses to go 

 forward when ridden by an indifferent horseman, the use of 

 the whip will make him obey. The sight of it will often be 

 sufficient to make him go forward. If he refuses to do so, 

 we should touch him lightly and carefully behind, because 

 an}- roughness or abruptness is apt to make him resist. 



Lunging has the further advantage of enabling us to make 

 a horse trot out, by driving his hind quarters forward with 

 the whip. In fact, we can thus make a horse acquire the 

 habit of collecting himself. By being lunged in freedom, he 

 will gain suppleness, confidence, cleverness and sure-footed- 

 ness, which are the best qualities in a horse. A harnessed 

 horse puts his weight on the collar and a mounted animal 

 puts it on the hand of his rider ; but a horse which is 

 lunged is obliged to balance himself independently of all 

 support. 



A horse which is lunged at a fast pace for five minutes to 

 the right, and for another five minutes to the left, gets in good 

 wind, on account of the work his lungs have to do. If he 

 was ridden, he would not get this exercise during his first 

 few lessons ; because they would be given at a walk. 



3* 



