never certain except with a free-going horse. Although an impetuous animal may get out of control and run away, I prefer him to a sluggish horse. Pluck is the best quality in a horse.

I have always obtained a good result with my equine pupil, who quickly loses fear of the things which surround him, because he has no one on his back to hamper his movements and upset him. I easily obtain my result without a struggle, and without having to put up with the plunges and shies of a horse which has been mounted too soon, and which is liable to roll over on the ground with me, on account of the awkward use of his feet.

It is of great advantage to teach a horse to know, bear and fear the lunging whip ; because if, later on, he refuses to go forward when ridden by an indifferent horseman, the use of the whip will make him obey. The sight of it will often be sufficient to make him go forward. If he refuses to do so, we should touch him lightly and carefully behind, because any roughness or abruptness is apt to make him resist.

Lunging has the further advantage of enabling us to make a horse trot out, by driving his hind quarters forward with the whip. In fact, we can thus make a horse acquire the habit of collecting himself. By being lunged in freedom, he will gain suppleness, confidence, cleverness and sure-footedness, which are the best qualities in a horse. A harnessed horse puts his weight on the collar and a mounted animal puts it on the hand of his rider ; but a horse which is lunged is obliged to balance himself independently of all support.

A horse which is lunged at a fast pace for five minutes to the right, and for another five minutes to the left, gets in good wind, on account of the work his lungs have to do. If he was ridden, he would not get this exercise during his first few lessons ; because they would be given at a walk.