We should endeavor, as Xenophon observes, "to make ourself to our horse,
the organ of pleasure, and that he should associate with our presence,
the idea of the absence of pain." Horses are by degrees made obedient,
through the hope of recompense, as well as the fear of punishment; to
use these two incentives with judgment, is a very difficult matter,
requiring much thought, much practice and good temper; mere force, and
want of skill, and coolness, tend to confirm vice and restiveness. The
voice, the leg and the whole body, may be employed to soothe and
encourage. High mettled or fretful horses, it is often necessary to
soothe, and timid ones to encourage. A spirited animal is frequently
impatient when first mounted, or if a horse or carriage pass him at a
quick rate; in either case, the rider should endeavor to soothe her
horse, by speaking to him in a calm gentle tone; she should keep her
whip as motionless as possible, taking even more care than usual, that
its lash do not touch his flank, her seat should be easy, her leg
still, and her bridle hand steady. The perfection of soothing consists
in the rider sitting so still, and easy, as not to add in the least, to
the horse's animation, at the same time being on her guard, so as to be
able to meet any contingency that may occur.