256 Modern Riding and Horse Education 



trainers generally try collected work too soon when 

 the horse is mounted. 



Another principle is that the animal must be 

 taught to move his neck forward as well as back- 

 ward at the will of his rider, or he will not answer 

 to the term " balanced." He must learn to break 

 into a canter or gallop from a walk, to jump freely, 

 to collect himself suddenly, and to turn on his 

 hocks. This may be termed the second part of his 

 training, in which the correct and frequent use of 

 the leg in combination with the lightest of hands is 

 everything. Theoretical knowledge, though essen- 

 tial if the trainer is to achieve success in this second 

 part, is useless without practical experience. A 

 corollary to this second principle is that the horse 

 must learn to answer at once to the bridle without 

 either fighting it or running back from it. A third 

 principle is that the animal must never be overtired ; 

 a '' stale " horse can learn nothing. 



Some experts advise beginning the work on foot, 

 teaching the horse to answer first to a snaffle and 

 then to a double bit by holding the reins above the 

 withers. When necessary they employ a second 

 man to stand behind the horse with a long whip in 



