54 THEORY OF HORSE-CONTROL. 



If we examine the working of these methods, we shall note 

 that they are founded on intensity of impression in the 

 association of ideas (see page 7) ; on the principle of 

 showing a horse his powerlessness to resist our orders ; 

 or on a combination of the two. The ordinary English, 

 French, and German systems are based on repetition for 

 the formation of a habit ; but without special intensity of 

 effect. Consequently, the desired result takes a long time 

 (say, from six months to two years) to be obtained, and is 

 liable under trifling provocation to be lost. The "horse- 

 tamers " and their followers make three blunders : in 

 claiming that their respective systems are infallible ; in 

 asserting that the effects are permanent; and in failing to 

 recognise the great importance of a " good mouth " and 

 obedience to the " aids." While fully admitting that 

 no system of education is infallible, and that the best 

 broken horse is capable of being spoiled at any moment 

 by an incompetent attendant, rider, or driver, I must 

 say that, with extremely few exceptions, any unhandled 

 or spoiled horse, no matter how wild, vicious, or old he 

 may be, can be made, by quick methods, quiet to ride 

 and ready to obey the ordinary indications of the reins in 

 from two to four hours. Such a horse, to become a reliable 

 "conveyance," would probably require about twelve more 

 lessons — two a day — of an hour's duration each. He ought 

 by that time to have acquired a fairly good mouth, steady 

 paces, and " cleverness " to jump any ordinary fence. 

 Army remounts which have never had even a halter on 

 them, might on an emergency be made fit for the riding- 

 school in a couple of days. I need not dwell on the value 



