Notes on equitation and horse training/Question 2
II
HORSE TRAINING.
Definition and object of horse training.—By horse training is meant a series of exercises that render the horse obedient, while preserving and developing his inherent qualities. Its object is not, therefore, to simply master and control the instincts of the animal; it must also subject him to a muscular training that, by suppling, will strengthen all parts of the body. As a result his gaits will be perceptibly developed by the very harmony of his movements and by the exact distribution of his weight produced under the influence of the aids.
Circumstances affecting duration of training.— The length and value of the service that a horse can render depend in great nieasure upon the manner in which he has been trained. A colt should be called upon for only such exercise or work as is reasonable, considering his age, strength, and ability. To exact anything beyond his capabilities is to set up resistance and to inevitably bring on injuries and early condemnation.
The breeding of a horse (thoroughbred or underbred), the nature of his feed, and the amount of work he has been equal to in the hands of his breeder are considerations that will allow us to fix upon the date, more or less distant, when he should be fit for service. Training when once begun must be regulated by these same considerations. It is self-evident that a horse kept on grass until he is 4 years old needs more nursing than the pure-bred horse that is raised almost from birth on oats.
It is also obvious that conditions of training will differ widely according to the skill of the person in charge. An
expert horseman will finish the work more satisfactorily and more quickly, and his composure and experience will enable him to mount without trouble a younger horse, because, in his hands, there will be none of those struggles that produce blemished animals.
Finally, the time required for training will vary according to the object to be attained. Many long months are often necessary to work a young horse up to high-school exercises, whereas, occasionally, a few weeks will be sufficient to produce a horse free at the three gaits and galloping with either lead.
Three periods of training.——The training of a young horse may be divided into three periods——preliminary work, work in the snaffle bridle, work in the double bridle.
(1) Preliminary work.——In this first period the horse is gentled. He is taught to allow himself to be saddled and mounted, to go straight ahead at the walk and trot, to turn to the right and to the left.
Work on the longe should properly be taken up in the preliminary period.
Under certain circumstances and with certain horses outside work may be begun.
(2) Work in the snaffle bridle.——The horse is first brought to a thorough understanding of the effects of the legs. He is next taught to obey the simple effects of the snaffle.
At the end of this period the horse should understand work at the three gaits on the three lines;[1] he should know how to take the gallop with either lead, and how to work on two tracks[2] at the walk and at the trot.
In this second period outside work will have been continued or begun.
(3) Work in the double bridle, which may be subdivided into two parts:
(a) All work with the snaffle is repeated with the double bridle. Instruction is completed as regards the upper aids.[3] The horse is confirmed in his work at the gallop and finally is taught the change of lead. Here is where ordinary training stops; training sufficient for the horse of the trooper.
(b) Preparatory period for high-school work in which the obedience of the horse is further developed by a system of exercises that increase his suppleness and strength. He acquires cadence in gaits and becomes light, or, more precisely speaking, balanced.
High-school work might be considered as a fourth period , and the animal would then be taught the different manners and steps of which this school is composed, such as the high trot, in place and gaining ground, and the change of lead with each stride.
- ↑ The straight line, the diagonal, and the circle.——Translator.
- ↑ Where the fore and hind feet do not follow the same track, e. g., in passaging.——Translator.
- ↑ See Question XXVI.