COLLECTING THE HORSE. 73 



before and behind, like a spring, with his forces collected 

 together and ready to be applied in any legitimate manner 

 which his rider may demand. As, by collecting the horse, 

 we deprive him of taking the initiative ; we find that the 

 practice of frequently collecting him is the best possible 



Fig. 6. Collected walk. 



means for curing him of hardness of mouth and stiffness of 

 neck. A horse can be collected at any pace ; but if I may 

 venture to say so, he should not be collected at the halt ; 

 for then there will be no harmony of action between the 

 muscles of the head and neck, and those of the hind- 

 quarters ; the former being in a state of alternate contrac- 

 tion and relaxation ; the latter, motionless. In collecting 



