Finishing the Horse. 121 



hand at the canter ; and a horse which is light 

 in hand at the canter is easily got in hand at 

 full speed. Increase his pace by degrees, 

 alternately letting him out and shortening his 

 stride, by first applying the legs or spurs and 

 then pulling at his mouth. He will soon 

 learn, however fast he may be going, to bring 

 his haunches under him the moment he feels 

 the legs. The rest is a mere question of 

 time and degree. Any horse may be taught, 

 in a very short time, to collect himself and 

 come to the halt in a few strides when at full 

 speed ; and any horse which is naturally 

 strong and supple in the hind-quarters may 

 be taught to throw himself on his haunches 

 and stop dead short without risk of injury. 



A single combat on horseback is nothing 

 but a trial of skill, which of the combatants 

 shall first succeed in bringing his sword-hand 

 to bear upon the near or unprotected side of 

 his antagonist. Such combats are therefore 

 wholly decided by horsemanship. The best 

 swordsman will be entirely helpless if he can- 

 not manage his horse, because he can neither 

 reach his enemy nor defend himself with his 

 sword-arm thrown across his body ; and the 



