84 HINTS ON HORSEMANSHIP. 



the shafts to prevent his turning short, and probably 

 with evident reason why he should not go ahead, he sees 

 what is required, and does it without difficulty. But the 

 same horse will not do the same mounted, in the middle 

 of a grass field, with nothing but his rider's aids to bias 

 him, or indicate what is required of him. Put a halter on 

 a four-year-old who has never seen one, how many courbettes 

 will he make ? Put on a crupper, how many ballotades? 

 Girth him, how many cabrioles ? I have seen a young horse, 

 when led in a dealer's halter, if eager after his companions, 

 do the epaule en dedans. When placed against a wall to be 

 measured, I have seen him piaffe make the courbette, ballotade, 

 cabriole, pointe, and detacher V aiguillette . This he will do, as 

 long as he is raw and unused to his tackle. After he has become 

 accustomed to it, try to make him perform these airs at your 

 will ; and, as I have said, it will be two years before he will 

 understand and obey you. But these will be the reasons, not 

 his want of suppleness. Jump on him the first moment he is 



