98 ORDINARY RIDING. 



in the right, in exactly the same manner as for the direct 

 flexion ; and, having placed the hand and neck in the same 

 position as we would do for the direct flexion, we make that 

 flexion. When the jaw is relaxed and the flexion complete, 

 we push the head of the horse to the right, by light pressures 

 of the left hand on the bridoon reins, which we hold high, and 

 drawn from rear to front, in order to prevent both the lowering 

 of the neck and any tendency which the horse may have to 

 get behind his bit.* 



At the same time, the right hand lightly feels the curb reins 

 from behind, while carrying itself to the right in such a manner 

 as to principally tighten the right rein,t until, the lateral 

 flexion of the neck to the poll being complete ; the tw^o reins of 

 the curb acting equally in giving and maintaining the play of 

 the jaw (Figs. 31 and 32 ), which ought to be the same as in 

 direct flexion. 



At the beginning, we ought to be content with even the 

 appearance of obedience, and we should not want the horse to 

 do more than to turn his head slightly, while opening his 

 mouth. We must practise him very often at this work, and 

 try to progress by requiring more exactness each time in 

 these suppling exercises. We will certainly finish in obtain- 

 ing complete flexion, by never employing force and con- 

 tenting ourselves with a small degree of progress at each 

 lesson. 



In equitation we obtain much by requiring only a little at 



* See Fig. 31, preparation for lateral flexion, jaw contracted; Fig. 32, 

 lateral flexion, jaw relaxed. 



t The left rein of the curb, however, remains slightly tense. If the right rein 

 only acts, it will pull the muzzle, and the head will no longer be in a vertical 

 position. 



We may note that I give here the first lesson of obedience to the two similar 

 impulsions in the changes of direction. Up to this I have used the right rein 

 only to turn to the right. I now begin to teach the horse toobey the two simul- 

 taneous impulsions acting in the same direction, namely, the near snaflle rein 

 which pushes, and the off" curb rein which pulls, both acting from left to right. 



