Morning journal and courier., 1892-06-07
How Horses Are Trained al West
 Point.
From Harper's weekly.l

From Harper's weekly.l
 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 receives a cer- tain degree of training to accustom him to his new and unusual duties. When brought into the stables he Is placed in a stall adjoining those of experienced and quiet horses, that he may have the benefit of their example. Men st 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 government forage ration without injury.
 His first exercise in the line of duty consists in being halter-led by @ trooper mounted ol a well-trained horse. After this bridle may be placed on him, and the reins loosely tied and thrown over his neck. When he is properly fitted with 6 snaffis bridle, the cavesson, light halter fitted with a moose band, is adjusted, and the longeing strap attached. The practice of the longe is to supple and teach the uOEsc tlc lEcc duu pEoPcE ucc oA Afkc- It thus aids in forming his gaits and in it- ting him for the cavalry service. The length of the lessons is regulated to avoid over-fatiguing the horse.
 Then bending lessons are given. From them the horse acquires a proper carriage of the head and neck. They also serve 10 render him more manageable 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 exercises. | The method used is a modification of the Rarey method. A strap is fastened around the of fore pastern and passed ever the back. As soon ss 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 brough; to his knees. and in this position he is permitted to remain, until of his own vo. lition he lies down, obeying the repeated command, "DownI" He is not to be pushed over.
 This lesson illustrates the theory and motive of all the training. The horse il considered as an animal of a single idea
 He has no reasoning faculties beyond th, limit of his experience. and consequently
 he is reasoned with by acts alone. In thil lesson he becomes convinced of his owr
 helplessness, and of mans power owe,
 him. No amount of plunging aids him
 the end of it is that he is compelled tI
 submit and lie down. But in this, ss ir
 the other measures of training, he find
 that no harm comes to him; he is treated
 kindly and gently, but yet so firmly tha
 he is compelled to obey. He learns tD
 trust his mastsr and to obey without dis
 sent. He is made to submit to mans con
 trol without exciting his resentment, o'
 suffering other physical pain than that re
 sulting from his own resistance.
 The horse is now in a condition to steI
 on to the tsn-bark and meet the cadet
 Both actors in the scenes to follow hay'
 been trained with this end in view. I'm cadet is third-class man-in cadet phra
 seology "yesrling," from the fact thai h' has completed the first years course o study, and has been advanced to the mex . years class. Daring the year elapsed h' ] | has seen horses only at e distancei the,
 have not existed for him. But while hi more advanced comrades have been riding and occasionally turning involuntary som erssults, he has been bringing his younI muscles under good control, and renderinl them supple in the gymnasium. He hs , there been turning somersAults with [ purpose. The course of gymnastics [ lacking in no essential particular, and i } may quite prope:ly be regarded as prepal [ atory to the course in the riding -school 3 for 1t stops where the other begins; an the yearling undoubtedly presents mol , creditable mounted appearance than woul } be the case should he pass to the ridinJ , school without first rendering his muscl, , tense.