66 Manual of Equitation and Horse Training 



tor to accomplish his end ; the normal development of the 

 organs of the young horse. 



Organization of sections: Leaders. — The instructor 

 groups the colts according to their breeding, character, 

 temperament, and gaits. The examinations which he has 

 been able to make during the first sessions in the riding 

 hall, the descriptive lists from the remount depots, per- 

 formances, and the age at which the horse was bought, all 

 aid him in making this first grouping. 



Each day, on leaving the stable, the instructor ex- 

 amines the colt's legs; he makes them march around him 

 at a walk, studies their apparent condition and their ex- 

 pression, and asks the riders about their character, diffi- 

 culties encountered, and results acquired. After this, the 

 instructor divides into groups those capable of standing 

 the same work, or designates those to go out alone. 



The horses who work in group are redivided into small 

 sections of four or five each and take their exercise on 

 different roads or at sufficient distance to assure independ- 

 ence, and hence calm, in each section. At the head of each 

 section, at least during the first days, an old horse is placed 

 to act as leader. 



Value of the various gaits. — The walk plays an import- 

 ant part in conditioning because it can be sustained a long 

 fcime without fatigue. At its full extent it supplies all 

 joints, strengthens and hardens the tendons, and produces 

 quietness and power. By accompanying with the hands 

 the play of the neck, which is very pronounced at the ex- 

 tended walk, the rider gives the horse confidence and 

 teaches him the habit of bearing the contact of the bit. 

 For these reasons, this gait should play a large part in 

 breaking. 



The trot is useful in the beginning, at first for "taking 

 the edge off," then for putting him in motion forward 

 while teaching him to accept the support which he will 

 meet and which is necessary for him in moving straight; 

 thus inclosed by the legs which push and the hand which 

 supports, the horse falls into the habit of fixing his neck 

 in the direction of motion, which facilitates his training 

 further on. From the physical point of view, the trot 

 stimulates the circulation at the same time that it devel- 

 opes the muscular system. 



