42 Curb, Snaffle, and Spur. 



carry forward the hind leg of the side upon which 

 it is applied, and to bend away the croup; the 

 second impulse would be to spring forward from 

 the planted hind leg. We can cultivate these 

 impulses so that we can control the forces of the 

 croup, and we can demand either one or both of 

 the impulses. By this cultivation of these in- 

 stinctive muscular actions which follow the appli- 

 cation of the aids, we can readily conquer the 

 active resistances of the horse, and we can correct 

 the faults of conformation and carriage to give it 

 the bearing best suited to controlled movements 

 under its burthen. A horse at liberty might 

 move with perfect ease and grace; but when it 

 bears the weight of a man, and its movements are 

 checked and impeded by bit and spur, it would be 

 awkward and constrained in its carriage if the 

 rider did not arrange the weights and forces to 

 conform to the new order of affairs. The well- 

 formed horse requires less aid from the trainer 

 than the horse of defective structure, but all 

 horses must submit to an artificial carriage before 

 they can bear a man safely and smoothly. It is 

 not every saddle horse that is trained according 

 to an accepted " method ;" but whether the trainer 



