6 7 



lighter and more pliable. But if he goes on, becoming more and more 

 steady and passive in his hand, but all the more active in his limbs 

 urging - the horse and gradually exercising a depressing influence u pon 

 the hind hand, he will find, that the horse will yield in both neck and 

 haunches, becoming flexible in the joints of the same and only now the 

 purpose of collection is achieved. The horse has through it acquired 

 that most beautiful quality of true looseness, all muscles and joints 

 work in free elasticity, even though this quality had by nature not ex. 

 isted at all. 



Kow the horse carries himself, the reins have but a slight tension 

 and the moment haS arrived when the rider may ride, figuratively 

 speaking without reins, not having to fear, that his horse will roll along 

 on his forehand, and become ruined on his limbs, which is an unavoid- 

 able consequence, when the reins were given loose by the rider, until 

 all connection had ceased and the looseness and stretching of the entire 

 vertebral column has been enforced by long trots and galops continued 

 to the fatigue of the horse, in consequence of which the muscles become 

 slack, the horse goes on its joints and each leg goes by itself. 



I am sorry to say, that this system has gained more ground than 

 one would think and we see many horses in the first month of their 

 training in a horrible condition of unnatural conformation and strained 

 tendons and joints, which is frequently and foolishly charged to the 

 breeding of the animal. Of course, if one would commence the training 

 of a crude horse, which is naturally behind the bit, with riding of col- 

 lected gates, nothing more injurious could be attempted. 



If we concede, that institutions, which train competent masters are 

 growing fewer and fewer in number, it is a natural consequence, that 

 teachers and trainers worthy of the title "master" are rapidly decreas- 

 ing in proportion, and that professional positions must needs be filled 

 with men of freeruently very limited experience. 



Few buyers understand it or will take the pains, of giving to 

 their horses a thorough education, and how few have the patience or are' 

 willing to expend the money, to leave their mounts in the hands of a 

 professional horseman for the time required. That time, necessary to 

 give careful and complete training to a young horse without injuring 

 the same, a training, which will last the life time of the horse, can by 

 no means be less than twelve months. 



Many are of the opinion, that highly bred horses are for ordinary 

 use too high strung, and we must admit that there are now more horseS 

 of vehement temperament, than formerly ; bcca^ise first of all the causes 

 are not so easily removed on account of the downfall of the art of riding, 

 and secondly, because awkward hands will irritate and spoil horses so 

 inclined. The fact remains, that a saddle horse cannot be too well bred 

 to comply in speed, strength and durability with all reqtiirements. 



It is of course to everyone, who has a disinclination to think, more 

 comfortable to join the chorus of professional fakirs, who hide their 

 ignorance by denouncing every thing, which their narrow horizon Can 



