82 BREAKING AND TRAINING 



suddenly kept there by the opposition of my hand. 

 I then make much of him and caress him, ease my 

 hand, letting him continue to walk on quietly, till by 

 repeating this lesson, at the slightest pressure of my 

 legs, he brings his haunches under him, arches his 

 neck, and is ready to spring forward, to rein back, 

 or to turn to either hand, as I desire him. 



15. — ^But suppose when you stick the spurs into 

 him he throws up his head and dashes off with you ? 



Ans. — ^This could not happen to me, because I 

 should never communicate an impulse with the leg, 

 which I could not control with my hand. I begin by 

 touching his sides so lightly, and taking it so coolly, 

 neither moving hand or leg, that the animal is never 

 alarmed, thinks nothing of it at first, and thus I go on 

 gradually increasing the dose, till he takes as much as 

 is " necessary " and " cannot help himself." 



IQ — ^\Vhen do you know that the horse has taken as 

 much as is " necessary ? " 



Ans. — ^\Vhen I feel the horse so buoyant and light 

 under me, that I can make him spring forward, rein 

 back, or turn to any side, and with perfect ease. 



17. — ^And how is it that he " cannot help himself ? " 



