HOW TO USE A HORSE. 11 



man may learn to ride well at any age ; and a bold boy 



of fourteen, "who comprehends the system upon which he 

 is taught, may in six months become a good horseman. 

 It is not given to all men to excel in riding : courage, 

 activity, a perfect temper, and aptitude for the exercise 

 are requisite for the acquirement of the highest ekill. 

 But a knowledge of a proper method will give to every 

 one comparative immunity from the dangers that attend 

 horsemanship. A schooled-horse, confiding in his master 

 and obedient to the spur, is not apt to try his powers in 

 rebellion ; and when in hand and properly gathered he 

 will recover from a mistake that might otherwise prove 

 disastrous. 



In these pages we present a system of riding and train- 

 ing by which the pupil may become his own master. 



The whip and the spur are necessary aids in the educa- 

 tion of the horse, and in compelling his obedience after 

 he has been trained. The first should be seldom used, 

 the latter never, to inflict punishment. For instance, if 

 a horse rears, the spurs must be employed to force the 

 action of the hind-quarters, and so to drive him forward ; 

 but having brought about that result, they must not be 

 thrust into him to pimish him for rearing. The horse is 

 to be taught that the spur is applied 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 nder should always be avoided, 

 for, in addition to the chances that the former will prove 



