gratify this caprice. If we wish to go fast, and quiet means are not sufficient, we should use the spurs or whip. When the sluggish horse defends himself, he does so with all the more spite, because he has kept back all his energy to oppose the will of the rider. There is a great difference between the two, because the impetuous animal gives all his strength for the advantage of the rider ; and the sluggish horse, for the detriment of the man in the saddle.^[1]

A cold horse does not take us into his confidence, because when riding him we are obliged to vigorously use the " aids," which are a punishment to him.

A hot horse which gives himself up wholly to his rider, gets only pats on the neck, and appreciates all the slight differences in the indications of the " aids." There is neither fear nor distrust between the two.

Many riders find fault with hot horses, because they are impatient, and start off at a quick pace immediately the reins are touched. The fault is on their side. In fact, whenever we wish to go rather fast, we begin by shortening the

kicking, etc. If we take the trouble to make the horse return at a slow pace, during a certain time, we shall succeed in being able to regulate his paces as we wish for the entire period of the ride, and we shall thus prevent him pulling or starting off at a canter the moment his head is turned home.

I also advise that the horse should not be turned sharply round to come back to his stable by the road he came out. Such a habit would prompt him to pull immediately he was turned.