128 ORDINARY RIDING. 



in hand is to give him a fine carriage, which no doubt is 

 valuable, but is its smallest advantage. Equilibrium, which 

 is the result of getting the horse in hand, gives mobility, 

 namely, the facility of instantly doing, without effort or 

 fatigue, every required movement at all paces. Also, this 

 equilibrium keeps the horse sound during severe work ; 

 because it requires from each part of the horse only those 

 efforts which come naturally to him. We thus avoid wearing 

 the animal out prematurely ; because no special strain is put 

 on any particular organ. 



If army horses were sufficiently suppled by a first course 

 of breaking, and if the soldiers who ride them understood 

 equestrian equilibrium, and knew how to take advantage of 

 opportunities, our cavalry would gain in appearance, firraness 

 of seat, and staying power. The men would have more 

 confidence in themselves and their horses, and they would 

 be more active, more skilful and more energetic. The horses 

 would stand more work, and they and the government budget 

 would be relieved from needless expense. 



We must not think that the horse should be always kept 

 in hand. I certainly do not advise that this should be done 

 the whole time one is hacking, hunting, foraging or charging. 

 So far from that, I am the resolute enemy of keeping the 

 horse always collected. We should know how to be able to 

 get the horse in hand whenever we wish to do so, and at 

 all paces ; but only from time to time, and when occasion 

 demajids. It is of the utmost necessity at certain moments 

 of difficulty, as, for instance, when we think the horse is 

 going to play up, and when the animal, from fatigue, softness 

 of constitution, or some other cause, goes in a lumbering, 

 unconnected manner. Getting him into hand restores his 

 balance and is of great use in every respect. 



As I have already said, all horses can be got into hand, but 

 only some are sufficiently well shaped to be rassembled. 



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