Manual of Equitation and Horse Training 63 



With some particularly cold horses, who obstinately 

 remain deaf to the call of the legs, it may be well to use 

 the spurs at an early date; but even in this case the spurs 

 should have round rowels, or should be blind spurs. With 

 well-bred horses it is the rule not to use them during the 

 first lessons. 



The use of the spurs in most cases does not seem to 

 comprise a special lesson; the horse nearly always responds 

 to them bj^ a bound forward. 



With mares or whimsical horses, kicking at the leg and 

 refusing to advance, it is generally sufficient to put them 

 on the cavesson and make a vigorous use of the driving 

 whip coincident with the rider's attack. 



Halting.— To halt, the rider gradually closes his fingers 

 and carries the top of his body slightly to the rear. He 

 regulates his firmness of action on the degree of sensibility 

 of the horse's mouth. If the horse leans on the hand, he 

 uses the half halt to modify the balance. The hands are 

 active, the legs passive. 



In halting, the horse should remain straight and up to 

 the bit. 



With nervous horses, those too low behind, and those 

 with a tendency to back, one should not halt frequently. 

 On the other hand, those which, from their conformation, 

 have too much weight on their shoulders, should be 

 frequently halted. Training is nothing else than a search 

 for balance, and the halt is an excellent gymnastic for those 

 horses which, high and powerful behind, are difficult to slow. 



Turning, — The horses are accustomed to follow a man 

 leading them in a snaffle bridle; this familiar opening effect 

 serves as the starting point. 



To turn to the right, the rider opens the right rein 

 gently, carrjdng the hand forward and to the right. The 

 hand which does not act must be carried forward and down 

 so that it will not contradict the active rein. 



It is very important that all sensations which the colt 

 is made to experience should come to him true and per- 

 fectly clear. 



The opening effect should be produced laterallj^, and 

 the least possible from front to rear. It provokes, never- 

 theless, a slight slowing, which should be combated by the 

 legs. 



