92 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



regard to the base of support. When the horse is at 

 rest the centre of gravity is sustained by this base. 

 The walk is nothing more than the rupture of this 

 equihbrium, and the movement of the hmbs at the right 

 moment to support the body and prevent it from 

 faUing. Consequently the four movements, forwards, 

 backwards, to the right and to the left, are always 

 caused by the centre of gravity drawing the body into 

 one of these four directions. 



In practice one calls a horse well balanced, which 

 moves lightly in all his paces, and is active and quick 

 in his changes of direction. 



Every horse, when at liberty, naturally balances 

 himself. His movements are more or less easy ; the 

 mobility which he shows proves that he is master of 

 himself, and that he can make a judicious use of his 

 forces. 



With rare exceptions, the moment a horse is 

 mounted, this balance is destroyed by the weight of the 

 rider, which displaces the centre of gravity ; and in 

 addition to this, the actions, voluntary or involuntary, 

 of the aids, provoke numberless contractions. 



Part of the muscular power of the horse is thus 

 employed in resisting the rider. 



The less a horse resists his rider the better he 

 balances himself, and the more handy he is. 



The conformation of the horse also influences, in a 

 great measure, the use he makes of his forces. A well- 

 shaped horse balances himself better under the weight 

 of the rider, because his forces transmit themselves to 

 the bones in the best possible dynamic conditions. 



Whatever may be the conformation of the horse, 

 the rider should tr}^ and make him retake, as soon as 

 possible, a natural balance, or as near to it as he can be 



