THE OLD METHODS. 63 



that, if I prevent the different contractions 

 occasioned by these physical defects, if I 

 supple the muscles, if I make myself master 

 of the forces so as to use them at will, it 

 will be easy for me to prevent these resist- 

 ances, to give more action to the weak 

 parts, and to moderate those that are too 

 vigorous, and thus make up for the deficien- 

 cies of nature. 



Such results, I do not hesitate to say, 

 were and still are forever denied to the old 

 methods. But if the science of those who 

 follow the old beaten track finds so constant 

 an obstacle in the great number of horses 

 of defective formation, there are, unfortu- 

 nately, some horses who, by the perfection 

 of their organization, and the consequent 

 facility of their education, contribute greatly 

 to perpetuate the impotent routines that 

 have been so unfavorable to the progress of 

 horsemanship. A well constituted horse is 



