1 1 8 A Fine Balance. 



" collected," or " in hand," he has merely brought 

 his hind feet well under him, and has yielded his 

 mouth to your hands in such a way that he can 

 quickly respond to your demands. This he can- 

 not do when he is in an open or sprawling posi- 

 tion. 



It were better to teach Nelly this gathering of 

 the hind legs under her by certain preliminary 

 exercises on foot; but you can by patient trial 

 while mounted accomplish a great part of the 

 same result. And between bit to restrain her 

 ardor and spur to keep her well up to it, the 

 mare will get accustomed to a position of equilib- 

 rium from which she can, when taught, instantly 

 take any gait, advance any foot, or perform any 

 duty required. She will be really in the condi- 

 tion of a fine scale which a hair's weight will in- 

 stantly affect. 



Do not suppose that bit and spur are to be 

 used harshly. On the contrary, the bit ought to 

 play in her mouth loosely, and with the trained 

 horse the barest motion of the leg towards the 

 body sufiBces. The spur need very rarely touch 

 her flank. The delicacy of perception of the 

 schooled horse is often amazing. But the co- 

 efficient of a balanced horse is a rider with firm 

 seat and light hands. Either is powerless with- 

 out the other. Moreover, a generous and intelli- 

 gent beast, reasonably treated, learns the duty 



