HORSEMANSHIP. 67 



pass in the reins and the houghs, extremely 

 fatigues these parts of horses that are na- 

 turally feeble, and soon ruins them. 



There are but few horses that are suffi- 

 ciently vigorous to support this action fre- 

 quently repeated. The greatest proof that a 

 horse can give of his powers and of his obe- 

 dience, is to make, after a rapid course, a 

 firm and light stop : which evidently denotes 

 an excellent mouth and excellent hips, qualities 

 as precious as they are rare. 



The half stop consists in drawing the bridle 

 hand lightly towards you, the nails a little 

 upwards, without immediately stopping the 

 horse, but only drawing him back, and raising 

 up the forepart, when he rests on the bit, 

 where you wish to bring him back, or to 

 gather him up. This action produces nearly 

 the same effects as the full stop, without dis- 

 couraging or fatiguing the horse as much ; 

 and for this reason you ought to repeat it in 

 preference and employ it frequently, above all 

 with horses that have a bad habit of resting 

 too much on the hand. As to those that are 

 naturally disposed to retain themselves, you 

 must at the same time that you make them 

 mark a half stop, animate them with the 



