94 ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



of the reins should be held in the left hand so that the 

 right rein presses against the neck. 



A trained horse, in fact, on feeling the pressure of 

 both ankles, and the gentle restraint of the bit, will 

 relieve himself of the pressure of one of the ankles by 

 inclining his weight to that side and springing on to a 

 pair of diagonals, and when once he has started the 

 movement the alternate action of the rider's legs is 

 automatic, though, of course, it can be emphasised by 

 pressure. 



Difficulties, of course, arise during training ; even 

 a trained horse is not always in a humour to do his best, 

 and one's methods of working him may have to be 

 varied. Most horses are disorderly at times, springing 

 off both hind legs together, and when this occurs the 

 rider should ease the pressure of the legs, bring the feet 

 forward, and draw the snaffle lightly and quickly from 

 side to side, whilst speaking to him in a soothing tone of 

 voice ; or steady him w4th light 23ressure of the thighs 

 and knees, and in some cases of the calves, and of the 

 spurs near the girths, and then make him go backwards 

 a few steps. In the case of a trained horse two sharp 

 touches of the spurs will steady him and make him think. 



If the horse refuses to work, the sides should be 

 gripped steadily and strongly with the calves, and spurs 

 if necessary, till he starts the trot, when the pressure 

 should immediately become light, just pressing in each 

 side alternately. It is impossible to make any effort 

 if the lungs are prevented from expanding ; we can, 

 however, stimulate the expansion of the lungs by 

 pressing in the ribs and then allowing them to spring 

 out again ; it is the sudden feeling of ease which follows 

 the removal of constraint that exhilarates and stimu- 

 lates effort, not the application of force itself. 



