FIRST EXERCISE OX FOOT. 35 



ness of the muscles of the lower jaw, by permitting the 

 horse in certain cases to escape the action of the bit. I 

 then bethought me of the means of combating these 

 resistances in this, their last stronghold ; and, from that 

 time, it is there I always commence my work of 

 suppling. 



First exercise o?i foot. — Means of making the horse 

 come to the man, of making him steady to mount, 

 etc., etc. 



Before commencing the exercises of flexions, it is essen- 

 tial to give the horse a first lesson of subjection, and 

 teach him to recognize the power of man. This first act 

 of submission, which might appear unimportant, will 

 have the effect of quickly rendering him calm, of giving 

 him confidence, and of repressing all those movements 

 which might distract his attention, and mar the success 

 of the commencement of his education. 



Two lessons, of a half hour each, will suffice to obtain 

 the preparatory obedience of every horse. The pleasure 

 we experience in thus playing with him will naturally 

 lead the rider to continue this exercise for a few moments 

 each day, and make it both instructive to the horse and 

 useful to himself. The mode of proceeding is as follows : 

 the rider will approach the horse, his whip under his arm, 

 without roughness or timidity; he will speak to him 

 without raising the voice too much, and will pat him on 

 the face and neck ; then with the left hand will lay hold 

 of the curb-reins, about six or seven inches from the 

 branches of the bit, keeping his wrist stiff, so as to pre- 

 sent as much force as possible when the horse resists. 

 The whip will be held firmly in the right hand, the point 

 towards the ground, then slowly raised as high as his 

 chest, in order to tap it at intervals of a second. The 

 first natural movement of the horse will be to withdraw 



