GENERALITIES 53 



them readily ; be used to all parts of their equipment, 

 not be frightened by sights or sounds, and should 

 be trained to arms. 



The various phases in the training should be left 

 to the initiative of each instructor, but they ought 

 all to be governed by two fundamental principles, 

 viz. giving the horse confidence, and the methodical 

 graduation of the demands of the rider, hased on the 

 association of sensations. 



A horse may be given confidence in an inhnite 

 number of ways of which the most usual are caresses, 

 repose following immediately on the least sign of 

 obedience, the easing of the legs and reins, the passing 

 to a walk after the faster paces, or even the getting 

 off the horse after a result has been obtained. 



One should never lose sight of the interest which 

 comes from carrying on the training without haste, 

 and methodically. 



Nevertheless, kindness and patience are useless 

 without firmness. The persistence in the employment 

 of the aids ; the energetic use of the legs or of the 

 spur, the whip, or the cavesson, are means which can 

 be used with some horses whose will has to be 

 dominated. 



The measure and the a propos with which one should 

 combine these various means cannot be positively 

 laid down ; it is their just ai^plication that displays 

 the tact of the trainer. The officer in charge of the 

 training exercises, moreover, a constant and rigorous 

 control as to the manner in which the riders make use 

 of the different means at their disposal for overcoming 

 the resistance of the horse. 



Finally, the good condition of the horses, the hard- 

 ness of their legs, and their good disposition, are the 



