112 CAVALRY HORSEMANSHIP 



be given for a short time, and the rider should profit 

 from the engagement of the hind legs to press the horse 

 forward in a vigorous extended trot after straightening 

 him, the hand only giving the head and neck the 

 support necessary to assist the extension of the legs. 



Easing of the hand and extension of the neck. — 

 The easing of the hand, defined and commented on by 

 La Guerimere, and later on adopted by the Baucher 

 school as one of the fundamental principles of equita- 

 tion, is nothing more than the proof of good balance. 

 It consists, after having placed the horse in a certain 

 balance, in withdrawing, at first for a few moments, 

 and then for a gradually increasing period, the action 

 of the legs and hands, and accustoming the horse to 

 remain in this balance, without the assistance of the 

 aids, and without decreasing his pace. 



The longer the horse remains collected in this 

 position, the more he shows the perfection of his 

 condition and of his balance — natural and acquired 

 — and the comj)letion of his training, whether as a 

 charger, a hunter, or a High School horse. 



The easing of the hand does not of necessity imply 

 that the legs should be entirely removed, or the reins 

 quite slack, but the action of the aids should confine 

 itself to simple contact. 



In this position, the horse enjoys an independence 

 favourable to the economy of his power, and his 

 initiative is aroused. 



Although inapphcable at field practice or during 

 manoeuvres, because the changes of pace and direction 

 demand from the rider a frequent and often energetic 

 use of the aids, and consequently on the part of the 

 horse a constant position of attention, one should 

 nevertheless ease the hand whenever there is not 



