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tainly not to perform these feats in public or at social receptions ; but 

 because they tend to supple all their muscles and loose all their j oints. 



The training of the horse, like that of the athelete perfects and 

 strengthens the entire system and every organ in all its functions and 

 enables it to perform extraordinary work, when occasion demands it. 



Some of these evolutions are so full of beauty and grace and dem- 

 onstrate so clearly the purpose to which they serve, that they give 

 delight to every intelligent onlooker, when seen at exhibitions. 



The principles which guide the course of training are : 



First, to bring the horse with confidence on the bit, that is, to create 

 in the horse, the desire to go forward and willingly to accept the tension 

 of the reins ; this is the foundation of all gentleness tinder the saddle, 

 and until this has been accomplished the trainer should not proceed 

 further. 



Second, the forehand of the horse should be built up, the neck and 

 head should be elevated and the shoulders freely developed. 



Third, next we begin to collect the horse and to lower its haunches 

 advancing its hind legs under the centre of gravity, and then we flex 

 thoroughly all parts of the horse bringing it under thorough com- 

 mand of reins and limbs. 



It is not the purpose of this lecture to treat in detail on the course of 

 training about which volumes could be and have been written , my in- 

 tention is only, to check — if possible — the headless and senseless haste 

 in a matter, which, requires and is worthy of serious consideration. 

 THE TRAINING OF THE HORSE AT HAND. 



The training of the horse at hand, in other -words, the preparation of 

 the horse on foot, for the service of the rider, is a branch of horse train- 

 ing, which in this country is almost unknown. 



The value of this mode of handling is inestimable. 



Young horses, unaccustomed to the weight of the rider will, when 

 unmolested by the same, more easily xmderstand and more willingly 

 yield to the aids taught them by this method. 



Horses, whose construction of head and neck make the suppling of 

 the same difficult to accomplish, will be aided in their development 

 by being relieved of the trainers 'weight, until these difficulties have, 

 one by one, been overcome. 



Horses, with weak backs or long pasterns will suffer less, when the 

 training at hand has given to them that position, which enables them 

 to carry themselves in balance, and support the rider's weight correctly, 

 before they are mounted. 



Horses, which require correction, because of the opposition which 

 they offer to the impressions of the rider's limbs or to the spur are more 

 easily controlled and made obedient by handling on foot, because it is 

 next to impossible, for them to evade the influence of hand and whip 

 under these conditions. 



The causes for sprains, lameness and other injuries which some- 

 times accompany the training in lateral gaits are greatly reduced, if 



