76 Manual of Equitation and Horse Training 



the way for the opening rein, which will serve in its turn 

 to interpret the bearing rein. 



The opening and bearing actions will finally lead the 

 horse to understand the actions of opposition, to which 

 the action of the leg will be soon joined; then actions 

 further combined, more discreet, though perhaps less pre- 

 cise. 



At this time the greatest clearness is necessary in the 

 impressions transmitted, because on the distinctness of 

 these first indications will depend the clarity of the whole 

 language, and consequently in part the rapidity of the edu- 

 cation. In part only, for it is not sufficient that the horse 

 shall recognize the demands, it is necessary still that his 

 mind shall consent to the often painful requirements of 

 man. 



Again it is the law of sensations which gives the means 

 for assuring the horse's obedience; for the horse to yield 

 and submit, it suffices to follow a movement well executed 

 by recompense, and its refusal by an energetic punish- 

 ment. 



By the repetition of this procedure, obedience, hesitat- 

 ing at first, will become more and more prompt, then abso- 

 lute, finally instinctive. 



To arrive at this last result, training demands much 

 patience in order not to irritate nervous horses, but also 

 much firmness. During the course of training, a moment 

 always comes when difficulty appears, a struggle is neces- 

 sary and must be taken up. The tact of the rider consists in 

 determining the cause, physical impossibility or unwill- 

 ingness. In the first case one must be particularly patient 

 and moderate in one's requirements. In the second case, 

 on the contrary, one must take up the struggle resolutely 

 and conquer lest the horse become conscious of his strength, 

 always by association of sensations, shall become restive. 



Care must be taken not to abuse the resignation of the 

 liorse under pretex that his strength is disciplined. 



The trainer should be fine enough to foresee the warn- 

 ing signs of impatience and revolt, and to limit or stop his 

 requirements for the time being. 



It is, however, easy enough to avoid making a horse 

 impatient, and one may make him repeat the same series 

 of exercises every day provided there is a certain variety 

 and on condition of giving him after each well executed 



