88 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



impressions, because on the precision of these first 

 indications will dej^end the clearness of the language, 

 and in consequence to some extent the rapidity of the 

 education. I say to some extent, because it is not 

 sufficient that the intelligence of the horse under- 

 stands the demands, it is also necessary that his will 

 be brought to accept the exigencies, often painful, of 

 his rider. It is also the law of association which gives 

 the means of persuading the horse to obey ; it is 

 sufficient in effect to follow the right execution of a 

 movement with a recompense, and his refusal with a 

 vigorous punishment, in order to teach the horse to 

 yield and obey. 



By the repetition of this method, obedience at first 

 hesitating, will become more and more prompt, then 

 absolute and finally instinctive. 



The training requires, in order to arrive at this last 

 result, much kindness, so as not to irritate nervous 

 horses, and also much firmness, because it is important 

 that the horse should consider his master the possessor 

 of an infinite power ; and this is the price of his sub- 

 mission. During the course of the training there 

 arrives always the moment when difficulties appear, 

 or a conflict arises. The tact of the rider consists in 

 discovering the causes, viz. physical impossibility or 

 a bad disposition. In the first case it is particularly 

 necessary to be patient and moderate in one's demands. 

 In the second case, on the contrarj^ one must enter 

 vigorously into the fight and come out victor ; other- 

 wise the horse, having learnt his power — still by 

 association of sensation — becomes restive. One should, 

 moreover, be careful not to be misled by the horse's 

 resignation and be under the impression that his 

 forces arc disciplined. 



