152 HUMANE HORSE-TRAINING 



Keep your horse fresh and in good spirits. He will 

 learn much faster than one that is continually irritated 

 or in poor spirits. 



The ideal to be sought by every trainer is to obtain 

 a light, delicate touch and never, never make an 

 impatient move. 



A heavy weight on the toes of a horse will make him 

 reach farther. By this means it is an easy matter to 

 have the horse reach out for the Spanish trot. A weight 

 on the heel flexes the knee, as in the park action. 



If you are training for the park action, the horse is 

 taught to strike a board when he paws ; another way to 

 gain the point is to place a pedestal about fifteen inches 

 high in front of him and have him step on this instead 

 of a board. After he mounts the pedestal easily a few 

 times, take him back ten or twelve feet and give him 

 the signal to step high. He will step high and reach 

 out for the pedestal, each time thinking he will reach 

 it. He will continue to step high and reach out until 

 he reaches the pedestal. This teaches him the Spanish 

 trot action, and he will soon perform, when the signal 

 is given, without the use of the pedestal. 



Assist the horse to develop the Spanish trot from the 

 park walk by throwing your weight on the front leg that 

 is on the ground. By this means you delay the placing 



