Manual op Equitation and Horse Training 51 



had experience and possessing special aptitude; but it 

 must be borne in mind that among these aptitudes, those 

 first required are good sense and methodical disposition ; 

 without these, the most brilliant qualities will remain 

 sterile, if not dangerous. 



During training the young horse is always mounted by 

 the same rider. There results from these associations an 

 understanding between man and horse, which serves as a 

 point of commencement in the education of the latter. 

 Training takes precedence over all other troop work ex- 

 cept the instruction of recruits. For this reason, the 

 soldiers emploj^ed thereon are relieved from guard and 

 fatigue duty while this work lasts. 



The soldiers employed for the breaking are chosen 

 from those having a love of horses, liking to take care of 

 them, and known for their patience and gentleness. 



The noncommissioned officers and men concerned in 

 training should be in addition well instructed and skillful 

 riders or there can be no hope of success. In fact, if it is 

 the well- trained horse which makes a good rider, it must 

 equally be remarked that only a skillful rider is capable of 

 training a horse. 



Care given on arrival in the regiment. — On arriving in 

 the regiment, the young horses are isolated and placed for 

 several days under the eye of the senior veterinarian, who 

 watches the state of health; this isolation is reduced to the 

 minimum time necessary. They are then distributed to 

 the troops to which assigned, grouped in the same stable 

 (in each troop — translator) and submitted to a special 

 regime to make them used to their surroundings. 



The first cares to which they are subjected are for 

 maintaining their health, to mold their temperaments to 

 the requirements of military life, to strengthen them by 

 well regulated feeding and exercise, to make them accus- 

 tomed to man, to familiarize them with shoeing, grooming, 

 saddling and bridling, and the weight of the rider. 



Object of the education of the young horse.— The training 

 lessons are given both in groups and singly, taking into 

 consideration the ability and experience of the riders, the 

 character of the animals, and the exigencies of the service, 

 time, and place. 



Troop horses, to be regarded as completely trained, 

 should be able to execute everything prescribed in the 



