104 ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



balance is the level one in which the forehand and hind- 

 quarters are fairly equally weighted, the horse being 

 always lightly on the hand, responsive to the legs, and 

 under the rider's absolute control. 



M. Le Bon very rightly says that a knowledge of 

 psychology is most helpful in the training of animals, 

 and so far as the trainer is concerned I have found much 

 assistance from the writings of C. D. Larson, one of 

 whose principal suggestions is that the mind should, 

 whilst working, be concentrated on the spot at which the 

 spine is connected with the brain, as it is through this 

 point that all sensations pass into the brain, and all 

 directions pass to the muscles ; it is in fact the centre of 

 control, and by keeping it calm, cool and alive, un- 

 affected by any outward or inward tumult, the eyes and 

 ears will be quick to grasp a situation, and the efforts to 

 meet it will be well regulated and instantaneous, the 

 nerves throughout the whole body will also be steady, as 

 the nerve force which is generated in the brain is in- 

 fluenced as it passes through the control. 



In High School work as long as the mind is fixed in 

 this brain centre, the aids are applied with just the 

 necessary amount of force, whereas if the mind is 

 allowed to travel down to the legs and arms undue force 

 is almost certain to be used ; moreover, fixing the mind 

 on the brain centre switches it off the feelings, and 

 consequently eliminates funk ; the best cure for worry, 

 for instance, is the word " <Zo " (" what shall I do "), 

 which immediately takes the mind to the brain centre. 



In the case of the horse his mind is principally 

 focused on the brain centre, and it is the duty of the 

 legs and spurs, when necessary, to bring it to the solar 

 plexus, and make him think what he ought to do, 

 instead of instinctively acting in accordance with 



