theless, as I have just said, we ought to be satisfied, at the beginning, by the semblance which he makes 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-