CH. XV OLD METHODS 375 



The English system of riding being based on 

 hunting and racing, its principal object is to get the 

 horse forward as fast as possible, without much at- 

 tention to his manner of going-. The Continental 

 system is based upon the requirements of military 

 service, and, in the training of horses, the methods 

 used are adapted to making the horse quick, handy, 

 and obedient. 



In the eastern part of the United States, the 

 English fashion prevails, but in the West, in Texas, 

 and in Mexico, the Spanish style of riding, with its 

 accompanying horse equipments, is adopted, because 

 it is suited to the purposes for which the horse is 

 there largely used : herding and catching cattle. 



English professional horse-breakers being, by 

 nature and selection, good horsemen, succeed in 

 giving their horses good manners, without working 

 upon any system which they distinctly recognise as 

 such ; but the amateur who wishes to accomplish 

 the same results, should have a good system to 

 work upon. 



Before Baucher's time, the suppling of a horse 

 was produced mainly by riding him, and gradually 

 obtaining all the required results more or less simul- 

 taneously. The horse was carefully urged forward 

 by the rider's legs, and restrained by the rein, until 

 he partly assumed the gathered position. He was 

 then ridden in a circle, which was gradually made 

 smaller as the horse became more handy, the head 

 being drawn in toward the centre by the inner rein, 



