USUAL OR INSTINCTIVE EQUITATION 



passing this at a walk. When the animal has ac- 

 quired confidence, the obstacle is raised progres- 

 sively, the trainer following the horse and encour- 

 aging him by showing the long whip, not, however, 

 striking, unless the horse actually refuses. Even 

 in that case it is better not actually to strike, 

 but only to swing the whip gently. Meanwhile, the 

 man holding the longe must be careful not to hinder 

 the horse from jumping, or to pull against it after 

 it has passed the bar. As soon as the animal sur- 

 mounts the barrier calmly, it should be recom- 

 pensed by caresses or otherwise. 



When the horse has learned to take the bar at a 

 walk, it is practiced, progressively, at the gallop. 

 Here, especially, is it essential not to excite the 

 animal, nor to check it by the longe, either before 

 or after the leap. For the horse in leaping has to 

 develop a very great amount of muscular energy; 

 and if the trainer hinders it in any way, or at any 

 time asks too much of it, the horse fails to put forth 

 sufficient energy, becomes disheartened, refuses, 

 and tries to bolt. 



After this training with the cavesson has pro- 

 ceeded far enough, the trainer mounts the horse, 

 and proceeds once more with the same programme 

 from the beginning. 



From this point on, it must always be borne in 

 mind that the horse clears the obstacle by its own 

 act of will. Being trained to leap, it knows the 

 right way to use its powers. The first essential for 



