76 NOTES ON EQUITATION 



However it is not necessary to enter into minute des- 

 criptions of details. It will suffice if the following caution 

 is observed: 



Avoid a struggle by starting at a distance from the dis- 

 mounted men and do not insist brutally on the occasion of 

 a horse's first fright. 



Swimming Exercises. Swimming exercises are difficult to 

 carry out and the results obtained are not always commen" 

 surate with the danger to which the men are exposed. 



If, however, the horses must be made to swim, the fol- 

 lowing schedule should be followed: 



1. Make the horse swim, holding him at the end of a 

 longe attached to the halter. In this way you will be more 

 certain to avoid any jerks that would cause him to make 

 false movements. This remark is very important for if a 

 horse in the water is brought up short he will splash in his 

 struggles and may easily lose his head completely. 



2. After the horses exhibit a certain amount of cojidence, 

 they should be mounted, bareback and in snaffle bridle, by 

 men who are excellent swimmers and then taken across a 

 rather narrow stream. In order to have this exercise carried 

 out under favorable conditions, the banks of the stream 

 should have a gentle slope so that the horse can enter the 

 water gradually, get out without difficulty and not be forced 

 to swim more than a few yards. 



3. The same exercise is repeated once or twice only, 

 with the horses saddled and bridled. 



