MODERN FAKRIER. 203 



'mour. Raise his head; but if he flags, you may- 

 indulge him with bearing a little more upon the bit 

 I than you would suffer in an airing. If a horse is 

 larne, tender-footed, or tired, he naturally hangs 

 upon his bridle. On a journey, therefore, his mouth 

 will depend greatly on his strength and the goodness 

 of his feet. Be then very careful about his feet, and 

 let not a farrier spoil thenj. 



Very few, although practised in riding, know 

 they have any power over a horse but by the bridle ; 

 or any use for the spur except to make him go for- 

 ward. A little experience will teach them a farther 

 use. If the left spur touches him (and he is at the 

 same time prevented from going forw^ard), he has a 

 sign which he will soon understand, to move side- 

 wise to the right. In the same manner to the left, 

 if the right spur is closed to him : he afterwards, 

 through fear of the spur, obeys a touch of the leg ; 

 in the same manner as a horse moves his croup from 

 one side of tlie stall to the other, when any one 

 strikes him v.ith his hand. In short, his croup is 

 guided by the leg, as his head is by the bridle. He 

 w^ill never disobey the leg, unless he becomes restive. 

 By this means you will have a far greater power 

 over him ; he will move sideways, if you close one 

 leg to him ; and straight forward, if both ; even 

 when he stands still, your legs held near him will 

 keep him on the watch ; and with the slightest un- 

 seen motion of the bridle upwards, he will raise his 

 head, and shew his forehand to advantage. 



On this use of the legs of the rider, and guidance 

 of the croup of the horse, are founded all the airs 

 (as the riding-masters express themselves) which are 

 taught in the menege ; the passage, or side-motion 

 of troopers to close or open their files, and indeed all 

 their evolutions. But the convenience of some de- 

 gree of this discipline for common use is the reason 

 of mentioning it here. It is useful if a horse is apt 

 to stumble or start. If to the first, by pressing your 



