90 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



It is by reason of these principles that the bit and 

 the spurs, when they are rightly used, enable the period 

 of training to be shortened. If the horse by want of 

 attention, idleness, or bad disposition, tries to avoid 

 doing that which one has the right to expect from 

 him, the energetic action of the fingers on the reins, 

 or a simple quick touch of the spur, ^vill instantaneously 

 recall him to the established agreement. 



" To fix the associations by the intensity of one of 

 the associated impressions is one of the keys of training^'' 

 (Dr. G. Le Bon). 



The principles of movement. — The locomotive 

 energy of the horse takes the name in equitation of 

 " forward movement " or " impulsion." 



Impulsion. — The forward movement is the first 

 degree of impulsion. This quality exists in the horse, 

 when he answers to the first indication of the legs by 

 extending his action without gaining sensibly in height. 



Impulsion is forward movement made use of 

 under the exact discipline of the aids, in accordance 

 with the end desired. It is the basis of training. Its 

 seat is in the hind quarters, which push the weight 

 forward, or at any rate ought always to be ready 

 to do so. 



The forward movement is natural or acquired, it 

 is natural in the case of the keen, generous horse, 

 whilst in the case of the dull, lazy horse it is the result 

 of training, and dies down the moment the action which 

 provoked it ceases. 



A rider is not really master of his horse until the 

 latter has yielded to him his entire impulsive forces. 

 Some horses withhold them, only giving a part of 

 them grudgingly, and even go eo far as to oppose the 

 most complete inertia. Others use all their muscular 



