CHAPTER II 



RESISTANCES OF THE RIDING HORSE 



The resistances of the horse are very rarely caused by 

 wickedness or a bad disposition. They arise some- 

 times from a defective conformation, or from defects, 

 visible or invisible, which make obedience painful, 

 and force him to try and free himself from the effort 

 required. 



But it is most often the case that the ignorance or 

 awkwardness of the rider are responsible for the bad 

 habits and resistances of the horse. 



The horse, as has already been shewn when studying 

 his mental constitution, is for ever taking his rider's 

 measure, and he is a past master at finding out the 

 form of resistance which the latter is most afraid of ; 

 rearing, resistance on slippery pavements, or beside a 

 wall, etc. If the animal discovers the timidity of his 

 rider, or feels the powerlessness of his aids, he im- 

 mediately feels his own power, abuses it, and gets the 

 upper hand. 



On the other hand, restiveness rarely occurs when a 

 horse (even one with a bad character) is entrusted to 

 an energetic intelligent horseman with method, and 

 determination to overcome difficulties. The vigorous 

 application of certain rules of horsemanship and of 



