replace him in the position he previously occupied, and keep him in it until he remains in it without trying to get out of it.

I have often seen horses which had been taught the Spanish walk use it subsequently as a defence. To every demand they replied by extending their legs without moving on. This was caused by their being taught artificial airs too soon. Before coming to them, the horse should be very supple and should be absolutely obedient in all natural movements.

Young breakers generally wish to go too fast, and it amuses them to see their horse extend his legs. When he does it, even of his own initiative, they pat him on the neck, and are astonished later on at not being able to get him to do something else which they ask him.

It is easy to understand that a horse will use the Spanish walk as a defence, when the order of the breaking is faulty. In fact, when we teach him this movement we force him to bear the spur, while remaining stationary. This is the great danger in all breaking, because, if a horse has not been at first accustomed to go freely forward on being touched with the spur, he extends the leg, or leans on the spur. Before teaching a horse to bear the spur without moving forward, we ought always be sure of being able to make him go forward by means of the spur when we wish.

It very often happens that a horse, through softness, uses as a defence an air to which he is accustomed, but will never use an air which requires great energy. As I have just said, we should of course put him back into his old position, and should prevent him from getting out of it.^[1]