238 MOUNTED BREAKING. 



fact that the rider can obtain no fixed point on the side 

 opposite to that on which he may wish to apply pressure. 

 Any slight difference between the lateral pressure of one 

 leg and that of its fellow can be gained only by means of 

 the friction between the rider's seat and the saddle. Even 

 if such " stronger pressure " were practicable, it would fail 

 to be effective, unless perhaps it was far superior to any 

 muscular effort of which the human leg is capable ; for its 

 centre of application would be little, if anything, behind the 

 centre of gravity of the weight to be moved. Granting 

 that the mechanical effect even of the drawn-back leg, as in 

 Fig. 1 08, is not great ; we must remember that the horse, 

 by the method I have indicated, has been taught to accept 

 it as a signal for moving his hind-quarters away from it, or 

 for checking their advance towards it. I need hardly say 

 that the presence of a spur on the drawn-back foot will in- 

 crease its effect both as regards intensity of impression and 

 by bringing the point of application still further back. At 

 the same time, the more we eliminate the element of pain 

 from the signals which we habitually employ with the horse, 

 the less likely shall we be to render him unsteady, and con- 

 sequently unsafe, to ride or drive. 



It is reasonable to say that in turning the horse at the 

 walk or trot, we should feel the inward rein as the out- 

 ward fore leg comes down. At the trot, the pace would 

 have to be very slow and collected to allow this to be 

 done with precision. 



Teaching a horse to carry his rider in a collected 

 and well-balanced manner. — While the breaker is in 



