Manual of Equitation and Horse Training 123 



Out of doors.— Man and horse become accustomed to 

 each other. Taking up work gradually. Influences which 

 hold back. Lessons on the longe and mounting lessons by- 

 new riders. Jumping on the longe and at liberty. Fixed 

 obstacles for the young horses. Horses quiet and bold 

 alone. 



//. — Obedience to the aids. 



Riding hall.— Gradually repeating, at first in snaffle, 

 then in double bridle, work of preceding year. Putting the 

 horse in the forward movement. Increasing and decreas- 

 ing gaits on straight lines, circles, and changes of direction. 



second period. 



(Dec. 1 to June 1, 6 months.) 



{Conditioning. 

 Suppling and complete obedience 

 to aids. 



I. — Conditioning. 



Out of doors. — Long periods of 1J.< to 2 hours. In- 

 crease the requirements gradually while taking notice of 

 period of shedding and green food (as in breaking). At- 

 tain 3,500 yards at gallop (8 minutes) at end of period. 



Work on broken ground. — Passing natural obstacles, 

 horses mounted. Push as far as possible, independence, 

 quiet, and boldness. Leave the column and go in opposite 

 direction, troop being in march at walk, trot and gallop. 

 Mounting lesson out of doors. 



II. — Suppling and complete obedience to aids. 



Riding hall. — Short sessions (three-fourths hour at 

 most) with a definite object. 



Impulsion. — The action of the spur. Double bridle. 

 Choice of bits. Accustoming the horse to bit. Progres- 

 sion to follow. Various means of holding reins in training. 

 Repetition with double bridle of work in snaffle. Study 

 of reins in opposition. Mobility and engagement of hind 

 quarters. Increasing and decreasing gaits, starts, halts, 

 backing, rassembler, demivoltes reversed, half turn on 

 shoulders, serpentines, and circles with haunches inside 

 and outside. False gallop. Suppleness and freedom of 

 shoulders. Demivoltes half turns on the haunches. Ser- 

 pentines and circles, the shoulders pivoting about the 



