86^ NEW METHOD OF IIOKSEMANSHIP. 



of each part, and the violence of the shock, infinitely- 

 decomposed, is scarce perceptible to either horse or 

 rider. 



If, on the contrary, we stop the horse by making the 

 hand move first, the hocks remain far in the rear of the 

 plumb-line ; the shock is violent, painful for the animal, 

 and especially injurious to his physical organization. 

 Horses that are thus stopped, set themselves against the 

 bit, extending their neck, and require an arm of iron and 

 a most violent opposing force. Such is the custom of 

 the Arabs, for example, in halting suddenly their horses, 

 by making use of murderous bits that break the bars of 

 their horses' mouths. Thus, notwithstanding the won- 

 derful powers with which nature has gifted them, are 

 these excellent animals injured. The use of the spur 

 must not be commenced till by gathering him we get the 

 horse well in hand ; then the first touch of the spur 

 ^should be made felt. We will continue to make use of 

 it, at long intervals, until the horse, after his bound for- 

 ward, presents no resistance to the hand, and avoids the 

 pressure of the bit, by bringing in his chin towards his 

 chest, of his own accord. This submission once obtained, 

 we can undertake the use of the spurs with oppositions, 

 but we must be careful to discontinue them when the 

 horse is in hand. This means has the double advantage 

 of acting morally and physically. The first attacks will 

 be made with a single spur, and by bearing on the oppo- 

 site rein ; these transverse oppositions will have a better 

 effect and give more prompt results. When the horse 

 begins to contain himself, the two spurs being used sepa- 

 rately, we can make them felt together and with an 

 equal gradation.* 



* I would never have thoug-ht that this means, which serves as a correct- 

 ive to the processes used by all horsemen, would have aroused the sensibility 



