THE LEGS AND THEIR EFFECTS 



opposite hind leg come off the ground. This is the 

 first step ! When one has obtained the first step, if 

 he is a trainer, a master, he may feel sure that 

 millions of steps will follow by and by. Now is the 

 time to prove to your pupil, by caressings and re- 

 wards, that what he has done is what you asked. 

 You have obtained the correct response, scienti- 

 fically and naturally, without the quarrel, doubt, 

 or confusion, which are the result of the wrong 

 method of the old masters of equitation. 



I dwell especially, at this point, on the impor- 

 tance of patience and moderation. Do not forget 

 that you are an instructor, and that your pupil does 

 not yet understand the meaning of your effects. 

 Accept, therefore, your duty. Act as if you were 

 dealing with a child who does not yet know the 

 meaning of papa and mamma. Teach by kindness. 

 Do not be violent. Do not kick the animal because 

 it does not yet comprehend you. If you do, you 

 will be sorry afterwards. Remember always that 

 a horse, once properly educated, answers to the 

 delicate and intelligent effects of your legs as it 

 answers to the deftest fingering of your reins; and 

 that all your domination of the animal is the prod- 

 uct of your intelligence, a strength of effect, never, 

 never, an effect of strength. 



When, from standing, the horse will pass to the 

 walk at the effects of the legs, without showing anxi- 

 ety or haste, it should be taught by the same methods 

 to pass from walk to trot, and from trot to gallop. 



