X INTRODUCTION. 



must not be thrust into him to punish 

 him for rearing. The horse is to be 

 taught that the spur is appHed to make 

 him bring certain forces into action, 

 and when used with discretion he will 

 respond to it ; but unnecessary strokes 

 with the spur will rouse his resentment, 

 and he will stubbornly refuse to obey its 

 indications. It serves no good purpose 

 to irritate a horse, as he will never 

 yield while angry. A contest between 

 horse and rider should always be 

 avoided, for, in addition to the chances 

 that the former will prove the victor, a 

 high-spirited animal may be made in- 

 curably vicious, when by milder treat- 

 ment he could be subdued without 

 endangering his usefulness. A rebuke 

 in a harsh tone of voice will generally 



