The weather is always good for riding, except when there is snow and frost.^[1]

In cold weather there is extreme pleasure in hearing the quick foot-falls on the hard ground, of a horse which is excited by keen air.

If it is raining or misty, the damp ground will be excellent for the horse, who will bravely plunge his feet into puddles and mud, and will joyously splash everything in his road.

When it blows hard, how pleasant it is to feel the wind striking our face, while we dash along at full speed !

Behold the sun ! Let us go to the woods to enjoy the freshness and deadened brilliancy of the soft light.

The walk is the pace for reverie. The land spreads out its panorama, of which we are a living, moving part, because we are carried away by the country in the cadence of a continual movement to the long striding walk of a thorough-bred. What pedestrian will believe that the walk of a horse can inspire his rider with the feeling of speed ? Nevertheless, that is the pleasure which is reserved for us.

The trot and hacking canter give us the pleasure of travelling without fatigue, of enjoying a harmonious movement produced by a reaction as free as it is elastic, with an energy increased a hundredfold by the generous ardour of the noble animal which is at our disposal, and which will give us all that is in it. Where does man end ; where does the horse begin ? We know not. The two make the most intimate, supple, living and vigorous whole which forms all the joy of life and action.

What intoxication of happiness to rush at full speed into space towards the unknown ! If fences come in our way, what excitement there is in flying over them ! What quiet daring fills our heart !