TRAINING 85 



his intelligence — nevertheless of a higher level than 

 one thinks — the horse is capable of ingenious ruses, 

 he knows how to test his rider, and to find out the 

 defences which frighten him and make him yield. 

 Training disciplines the horse, supples his will, but is 

 not able to definitely change his character. A wicked 

 or sulky horse, however well trained he may be, is 

 always to be mistrusted. 



By studying the mental faculties of the horse, and 

 by associating them with the horse's own efforts, the 

 rider hastens his submission. 



His physical constitution and his temperament 

 also require careful attention. It is by reason of the 

 length and direction of his various bones, of the more 

 or less openness of the articular angles, of the easiness 

 of nutrition and digestion, etc., that one is able to form 

 an opinion of the resources of the horse, and the diffi- 

 culties he is likely to offer. 



Nature of the training. — The instructor should 

 draw conclusions from the examination of each horse 

 as to the course of training which will suit him best, 

 and regulate the work accordingly. It is not possible 

 to bring all horses to the same degree of perfection, 

 but one can always develop their powers, without at 

 the same time trjang to obtain by severity that which 

 they have not the strength to give. 



The same principles direct the training, whether 

 it is undertaken by the officer, or entrusted to a 

 trooper. The difference only shows itself in the 

 choice and variety of the means employed, and in 

 the perfection, more or less marked, of the results 

 obtained. 



Certain methods of training claim to secure the 

 absolute domination of the horse, and succeed in 



