THE SPANISH WALK. 239 



theless, as I have just said, we ought to be satisfied, at tlie 

 beginning, by the semblance which he maizes of raising his 

 legs. It would be wrong to insist, or even to strike the animal, 

 when we can do nothing with him, beyond astonishing him. 



Nevertheless we should gradually obtain the extension of 

 the legs, which will not be satisfactory, unless the legs are 

 completely and horizontally extended at the height of the 

 shoulders. In my opinion, it cannot be said that a horse does 

 the Spanish walk, unless this height and extension are 

 obtained. 



As soon as the horse understands what he is required to do, 

 and performs it correctly, that is to say, when he fully extends 

 his legs horizontally, he ought to be taught to place them on 

 the ground without the slightest bending of the knees, which 

 is the most important condition in this movement. To succeed 

 in this, we should, as soon as the legs are fully extended, draw 

 the horse forward by the snaffle, so that he will place the foot 

 well in front, the leg remaining straight until the foot touches 

 the ground. If he bends the knee, he can take only a short 

 step ; and, besides, as the knees will be bent unequally, the 

 steps will not be of the same length. Finally, if the horse is 

 allowed to bend his knees, it will be impossible to prevent him 

 pawing the ground, which would necessarily make the steps 

 unequal. We should therefore take the greatest care to have 

 the leg perfectly straight, until the foot touches the ground. 

 When the legs are thus extended, the steps cannot fail to be 

 equal in length. 



As soon as we get the horse to take one correct step with 

 each leg, we should not continue this work on foot, although 

 the progress would certainly be more rapid. 



The Spanish walk is much more graceful, brilliant and 

 regular, if the breaker teaches it when he is in the saddle. In 

 fact, when he is on foot, he has to draw the horse forward, 

 and he cannot then get the animal in hand, because the for- 



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