190 



ibrm the capiiole, that is to caper like a goat, as the term implies. There 

 is, however, a view of utiiilv, as well as aiiiusement, in these feats, since 

 to be able to sit scientifically and securely upon tlie Horse, while he 

 performs them, is the great test of complete Horsemanship. 



Nothing can be more obvious than that the grand manege is chiefly 

 ornamental, and that the thoronghlv-dressed Horse is rather an object 

 of luxurious parade, than of real utility, even allowing, that by this ex- 

 tensive education, all the bodily and mental powers of" the animal are 

 elicited and displayed. But it is far otherwise with the petit, or infe- 

 rior manege, which consists of all that is useful in the othtr, fitting the 

 Horse for the ranks, and for every purpose of military service. This 

 useful part of the system is also applicable to other services, in how 

 great a degree it is beneficially so, will be b3^-and-by considered, 



In the language of the Riding-house, the Horse is itorkcd by means 

 of aids, accompaniments, corrections, animations, cherishings, or scoldings. 

 These are given by the hand, and various parts of the body of the rider, 

 a perfect correspondence and unity of action, being established between 

 him and the animal he bestrides, until the idea of a centaur, or being 

 half equine and half human, and animated by one and the same mind, 

 seems to be realized. Thus the thoroughly-dressed Horse possesses all 

 the accomplishments of grace, stateliness, action, and intelligence, which 

 it is in the power of science to impress upon his natural susceptibility. 



The practice of the old school necessarily partook of the ignorance 

 and barbarity of the times, and the most absurd and useless trtsjiasses 

 were made upon the animal feelings. Over and above the gags and 

 tortures of the mouth, the legs of the Horse were often confined in 

 trammels, in which state he was driven onwards by sharp goads, that he 

 might acquire a crippled and unnatural pace ! Heavy shoes were 

 fixed upon his hinder feet, and even sacks of sand upon the loins, in 

 order to keep down the hinder parts of the Horse. To these were 

 added pasterns of lead, and shoes of advantage, which last, with their 

 plates, beside the constant torture they occasioned, often crippled the 

 Horse for life, by strains in the stifle or lower joints. In the modern 

 JSnglish schooh all unfair and unnatural methods ofsubduing the Horse, 



are. 



