The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-06-17
HOW HORSES ARE TRAINED AT
WEST POINT.

After new horses are brought to
west Point considerable time elapses
before they are brought into the riding.
school; for cadets are never mounted
on green animals. The horse first re d.
celves certain degree of training, to
accustom him to his new and unusual
duties. When brought into the stable
he is placed in stall adjoining those
OF experienced and quiet horses, that
he may have the benefit of their ex-
ample. Men at work about the stable
are cautioned to approach quietly, and
always speaking to him, that he may
be gently accustomed to their presence.
His diet even is carefully regulated,
that he may become used to the gov
eminent forage ration without injury.
His first exercise in line of duty
consists in being halter.led by troop
er mounted on well.trained horse.
After this bride may be placed on
MIN. and the reins loosely tied and
thrown over his neck. When he is
properly fitted with a snaffle bride,
the cavesson, light halter fitted with
a nose band, is adjusted, and the
longeing strap attached. The practice
of the longe is to supple and teach the
horse the free and proper use of his
legs. 1t thus aids in forming his gaits,
and in fitting him tor the cavalry ser
vice. The length Of the lessons is
regulated to avoid overfatiguing the
horses.
Then bending lessons are given.
From them the horse acquires prop
er carriage of the head and neck. They
also serve to render him more man
ageable by teaching him to conform
to the movements of the reins, and
to yield to the pressure of the bit. He
is taught to arch the neck, to raise or
lower the head, and to bend it to the
side. After this, the horse is thrown.
This is done, if possible, more gently
and carefully than the preceding ex-
ercises. The method used is a mod.
ification of the,Rarey method. A strap
is fastened around the off fore pastern
and passed over the back. As soon
as the horse moves, under urging, the
strap is pulled and held taut, thus
bringing the heel against the forearm,
and keeping it there. The horse is
brought to his knees, and in this posi-.
tion he is permitted to remain, until
Of his own volitlon he lies down, obey
ing the repeated command, Down =
He is not to be pushed over.
This lesson illustrates the theory and
motive Of all the training. The horse
is considered as an animal Of a single
idea. He has no reasoning faculties
beyond the limit of his experience, and
consequently he is reasoned with by
acts alone. In this lesson he becomes
convinced of his own helplessness, and
of mans power over him. No amount
Of plunging aids him; the end of it is
that he is compelled to submit and
lie down. But in this as in the other
measures of training he finds that no
harm comes to him; he is treated kind
ly and gently, but yet SO firmly, that he
is compelled to obey. He learns to
trust his master, and to obey without
dissent. He is made to submit to
mans control without exciting his
resentment, or suffering other physical
pain than that resulting from his own
resistance.
The horse is now in condition to
step on to the tan bark and meet the
cadet. Both actors in the scenes 10
follow have been trained with this end
in view. The cadet is a third-class
man--in cadet phraseolgy ''yearling." "
from the fact that he has completed
the first years course Of study, and
has been advanced to the next years
class. During the year elapsed he
has seen horses only at distance; they
have not existed for him. But while
his more advanced comrades have been
riding, and occasionally turning invol-
untary somersaults, he has been bring
ing his young muscles, under good con-
troll, and rendering them supple in
the gymnasium. He has been turning
somersaults with a purpose. The
course of gymnastics is lacking in no
essential particular, and it may quite
properly be regarded as preparatory
to the course in the riding-school, for
i. stops where the other begins; and
the yearling undoubtedly presents a
more creditable mounted appearance
than would be the case should he pass
to the riding-school without first rem
dering his muscles tense.