36 NOTES ON EQUITATION 



quarters should be taken out frequently. Clumsy horses 

 and those that throw the weight on the forehand should re- 

 ceive most of their work in the hall. 



Choice of Ground. If possible, soft ground should be 

 selected. On hard ground the fetlock joints become fatigued 

 and the lower legs are liable to injury; the horse develops 

 windpuffs and splints. But it would be WTong to work over 

 heavy ground; the hocks would suffer and eventually spa- 

 vins would appear. 



When training has been completed, good results may 

 be obtained by riding a horse with loose reins over bad 

 roads. This forces the horse to take the initiative and as 

 he is allowed complete freedom of the head, he easily gets 

 out of difficulties even on very bad ground. 



Gaits. In outdoor rides there should be alternation of the 

 walk and trot, gradually increasing at each outing the 

 amount of time devoted to the trot. Towards the end of 

 the period of training the distances at a trot should be 

 lengthened; but there should always be intervals of at least 

 ten minutes at a walk to allow the horse to resume his nor- 

 mal breathing. 



The gallop should not be used in outdoor work except 

 upon very good ground. If you have available only bad or 

 fair footing, do not gallop. By rigidly enforcing a schedule, 

 regardless of conditions, the result will inevitably be injury 

 to the animals. In any case, galloping should not begin 

 outside until the rider is sure of his ability to make his 

 horse lead off freely with either foot. He can then Avork his 

 mount equally on both sides and can avoid those struggles 

 that put a horse in the air during the whole ride. 



Sweats. A horse should not be sweated at the beginning 

 of training, at least, not until his disposition has been 

 studied. As a rule any excess of fat disappears with ordi- 

 nary work. 



When giving a sweat, a suitable day and hour should 

 be sele(^t(Ml; the horse should be well covered, wrapping 



