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at a walk, a trot, or a gallop, and if this important 

 part of his training is attended to, he will soon learn 

 the respective words of command — '' Walk ! " '' Walk, 

 March ! " and " Gallop ! " The best mode of train- 

 ing him to move off suddenly is to collect him well 

 together while he is standing, and, by the pressure 

 of the legs and feeling of his mouth, impart to him 

 the idea to be on the alert. This feeling can 

 only be imparted to the horse by practice, and it is 

 generally some time before he understands it, much, 

 of course, depending on his temperament and apti- 

 tude. At the last sound of the word of command, 

 which can be given by the rider if training him alone, 

 he should close his legs against the horse, and at 

 the same time impel him by a " lift " with the reins, 

 and he will soon learn to bound off at any pace. If he 

 should be inclined to start forward before the word 

 has been given, great care should be taken to steady 

 him down. Nervous, high-tempered horses after a 

 little practice will almost learn to anticipate an order, 

 so that if care is not exercised much harm may be 

 done in this way. The least motion on the part of 

 the rider may cause a nervous horse to bound for- 

 ward in the most unexpected manner, thus discretion 

 must be exercised in regulating this movement ac- 

 cording to circumstances and the temperament of 

 the horse. 



