40 EQUITATION AND HOKSE TRAINING. 



Difference between haunches in and two-track work. — 

 The movement of swinging the haunches in must not be 

 confused with two-track work. The latter is a regular 

 movement to be taken up after the completion of the 

 suppling of the forehand as well as that of the haunches; 

 in tliis movement the horse, placed or held correctly in a 

 position from head to croup, is oblique to his path rather 

 than curved to it. The former, on the contrary, is merely 

 an exercise with the object of making the haunches supple 

 and easily controlled. 



Dismounted work. — Before beginning mounted work 

 on the haunches, it is sometimes useful to pave the way 

 by dismounted work with the whip; such work may be 

 advantageously combined with longeing. Work with the 

 whip is directed especially at the hind quarters and should 

 not be confused with the dismounted bending lessons 

 which we will take up later in curb-bridle work. 



There are two principal movements: 



(1) To move the horse to the front with the whip. — The 

 horse being on the track and on the left hand, seize the 

 reins about 6 inches from the bit with the left hand, pull 

 them forward and at the same time strike light taps with 

 the whip behind the girth wdiere the leg is usually applied. 



If the horse moves forward, let him walk a few steps, 

 make much of him, and then halt him. 



If he stands still, gradually increase the force of the 

 whip taps until he moves. 



If the horse backs away, hold him tight with the hand 

 on the reins and continue the use of the whip behind the 

 girth until he moves forward; then caress him and halt 

 him. 



(2) To swing the haunches. — The trooper standing on 

 the left of the horse seizes the reins with the left hand 

 and applies light taps with the whip behind the girth 

 until the horse moves the haunches from left to right. 



