The impetuous horse is one which wishes only to go forward, and in consequence of his being well balanced and having plenty of natural energy, he goes freely up to his bridle. True balance and natural energy are innate qualities in him, because they are conditions of his being : this includes everything. Equitation cannot exist without energy. In the horse I speak of, the energy is already made, and he gives it to his rider. It is easier, as I have said, to profit by impulse than to create it. The fault of being behind the bit is the stumbling block in every kind of riding, and the natural disposition of an impetuous horse is directly opposed to this tendency.

In every case, no matter what happens, a forward movement is the least displacing one for the rider. The fact of Arab horses being hot, generally makes them easy and agreeable to ride. These animals canter high, and always bring the hocks well under the body.

For the above reasons I am right in saying that every horse which is not hot is fit only to be put between the shafts.

As a rule, people are afraid of an impetuous horse, and they are wrong ; because he is the only one which will be faithful, and will not do them a bad turn. He is the only animal which, by reason of his constant desire to go forward, is plucky even in his defences.

The sluggish horse, which is generally preferred, can neither be reliable nor plucky. In every case, so far from giving himself up to his rider, he continually restrains himself, and is always ready to keep behind the bit, which, in my eyes, is the worst of all faults. He thinks only of returning to his stable,^[1] and tries to take advantage of every chance to