FREKCH METHOD OF TRAIiq"IKG. 89 



neck, and to relax his jaw. Future instructions consist 

 mainly in teaching him to preserve this position, and to 

 avoid all rigidity at any speed. 



Although you may have taught the horse to stand per- 

 fectly at his ease while standing still, and to be *' light in 

 hand and light on his legs," you will lind that the 

 moment you attempt to move him forward at a walk, he 

 will throw out his nose at the first step, and be as un-' 

 gainly as ever. Take hold of his mouth immediately and 

 endeavor to supple his neck. If he continue the resist- 

 ance, halt him at once, bring his head into position, and 

 let him rest a moment before advancing again. He will 

 soon learn to walk with his mouth light. If he seems 

 to step too short, as though too much restrained by the 

 curved position, press him lightly with the heels to send 

 him forward. You will soon learn when the free move- 

 ment of the horse indicates a just balance, or equilibrium, 

 between the forehand and the hind-quarters. It is this 

 that you must always study to preserve — drawing back 

 the head when there is too much forward tendency, and 

 applying the legs when the horse goes, as horsemen say, 

 ''behind the bit," that is, with an uncertain, short step. 



The next step is not to trot, but to move backward at 

 a walk. This you can attempt only when the use of the 

 curb causes the horse to bring in his head before it short- 

 ens his step. Get him well collected at a halt ; apply 

 the legs until you feel a forward tendency of the weight, 

 showing that the hind-legs are free to step ; then draw 

 backward on the curb to such a degree that the horse, to 

 preserve his balance, will step backward, that is, the 

 horse's weight being in perfect balance between your legs 



