18 TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 



the daily operations, by the Chef dEscadrons 

 de No vital, commanding the Royal School 

 at Saumur. The complete success of the 

 trial is mentioned above, and an extract only 

 from the report will be here given : 



"But it may be objected, will not this 

 species of captivity, to which the new method 

 will subject the horse, prevent his lasting ? 

 Will it not be the source of his premature 

 decay ? To this it is easy to answer by a 

 comparison, which to us appears conclusive. 

 When all the wheel-work of a machine fits 

 well together, so that each part furnishes its 

 share of action, there is harmony, and con- 

 sequently need of a less force ; so when, in 

 an organized body, we are enabled to obtain 

 suppleness and pliability in all the parts, the 

 equilibrium becomes easy, there is supple- 

 ness and lightness, and in consequence a di- 

 minution of fatigue. 



"Far from injuring the horse, the new 



