On Teaching Riding 17 



ing can be carried, and of its kind it is perfectly ex- 

 cellent. The horses are first of all taught their work 

 tied between two pillars, and without men on their 

 backs. Some of the aids employed can hardly be 

 called delicate, even when the education is complete ; 

 for example, to make the horse kick up behind, the 

 riders gives him a severe cut with the whip just 

 above his hocks. Doubtless these exercises develop 

 useful muscles in the horse and ensure his balance 

 at slow paces, as no unbalanced horse could perform 

 them, but we need not copy either this training or 

 what is considered the necessary seat for it; the 

 muscles of the horse can be devolped by far simpler 

 means, and balancing is part of the animal's ordi- 

 nary education. It is only fair, however, to add that 

 these same horses are said to be able to travel over 

 four miles of stiffish made-up country, the highest 

 practical test possible in France, where natural 

 fences of any sort are the exception. 



The only Haute Ecole exercise I have ever heard 

 of with a specific object peculiar to itself is the Span- 

 ish trot, which is said to cure stumbling; but as Mr. 

 Swire has recently told us that horses possessing this 

 accomplishment are apt to do it unasked when wait- 



