Conclusion. 127 



do so more effectually than by attempting to 

 collect him by the forcible use of the curb and 

 spurs before he has learnt to understand what 

 they mean. It is equally true that, if you 

 want to make him a curby-hocked and broken- 

 spirited cripple, you have only to insist upon 

 perpetually keeping him collected with his 

 and your weight upon his hind legs. And, 

 finally, it is too certain that both these blun- 

 ders have long been systematically taught, and 

 are still to some extent habitually committed, 

 by Continental manege- riders. 



But remember that there is a reverse to the 

 medal. A horse which has not been taught 

 to spring from the spurs and yield to the bit 

 may carry you, but you cannot ride him. He 

 may go very pleasantly under you so long as 

 his opinion upon things in general happens to 

 agree with yours ; but let him once get fright- 

 ened or excited, and you will soon find that 

 it requires all your strength and nerve to man- 

 age him. Such a horse, however quiet and 

 good-tempered he may be, can never be really 

 safe to ride ; because he has not lost the power 

 of defying his rider. You cannot, if he does 



