THE REASONED EQUITATION 



few trials, the horse comprehends what is wanted, 

 and goes forward at command. Thereupon, the 

 assistant works progressively farther and farther 

 along the longe away from the horse, until he lets 

 go entirely. 



As the horse learns to travel around the circle 

 under control of the trainer, it must learn also to 

 stop on the line, without turning its body inward or 

 outward. For this, the trainer swings his left hand 

 up and down, so as to give a succession of mild jerks 

 on the longe; at the same time, the assistant walks 

 slowly along the longe to the horse's head, while 

 the trainer, in a clear and commanding voice, calls, 

 Hoho, Hoho. Whoa! As the horse stops, the as- 

 sistant caresses it. At first the animal will turn its 

 haunches outward from the circle. After a few les- 

 sons, it will stop straight on the line. 



The trainer should always stand still at the center 

 of the circle, never following the horse, but compel- 

 ling the horse to go round him, to walk, trot, and 

 stop as indicated, but not to come to the trainer 

 unless summoned by a pull on the longe. 



An experienced trainer will very soon teach the 

 horse to obey the whip. Shown near the flanks, it 

 means to go to the right or left; at the hind hand, 

 to go forward at the different gaits; in front of the 

 face, to stop. Showing the whip straight, the lash 

 upward, accompanied by a gentle tug on the longe, 

 will bring the horse to the center. If the horse is 

 then rewarded and caressed, the sight of the whip 



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