74 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



one should not try to restore order, as most inex- 

 perienced riders do, by a regular action of the aids 

 (since the young horse hardly understands them when 

 he is calm and in a slow pace) ; one should fix the 

 hands, and then as soon as the horse is calm, stop him, 

 replace him, and press him forward. This method of 

 procedure is, moreover, always, even in the case of old 

 horses, the one which gives the most certain and 

 prompt results. In every case the instructor recom- 

 mends patience and kindness. He moreover instils 

 into himself the teaching of the most famous masters 

 of the French school, who had for maxim " to avoid 

 upsetting the young horse, and not to destroy his 

 gentleness, because it is with the horse as with fruit, 

 what is once taken away never returns " (Pluvincl Le 

 Manege Royal). 



Preparation of the young horse for his eventual employ- 

 ment in case of mobilization. — After a few weeks' 

 work, it is indispensable to commence to prepare 

 the horses for the part they will eventually be 

 called upon to play in case of mobilization. Whilst 

 rigorously following the progression established with 

 a view to the exercise of the horse, one can, for ex- 

 ample by taking the sword and the bridle when 

 working out of doors, habituate the young horses 

 from time to time to the equipment, to the distinctive 

 headdress of the rider, to the cuirass, to sword exer- 

 cises when standing still, walking, or on the march, 

 and can also get them used to firing, by being present 

 at rifle practice. 



The bridle. — As soon as the horses have free and 

 extended paces, and they accept without hesitation 

 the support of the hand, one can, without incon- 

 venience, put a double bridle on them, on condition 



