Side Flexions of Neck. 1 2 9 



This is done first on foot, by gently turning the 

 mouthpiece of the curb bit in a horizontal plane, 

 so as to force her head to either side and make 

 her arch her neck, without allowing her to shift 

 feet. Later, it is done by drawing one curb rein 

 over her neck so as to bring her head sidewise 

 down towards the shoulder, while steadying her 

 with a less marked pressure on the other rein. 

 To do this properly, the Baucher diagrams, or a 

 longer description, would be useful. When the 

 neck is in this exercise perfectly flexed, she will be 

 looking to the rear. With some little practice 

 Nelly will thus readily, at call, bring her head way 

 round to the saddle-flap, with neck arched, and 

 mouthing her bit. Later still, you can practice 

 this flexion mounted, by holding both reins, and 

 pulling a trifle more strongly on one curb than 

 on the other, and steadying her by voice and leg 

 to prevent her from moving. This exercise will 

 make it physically easier for Nelly by and by to 

 respond to your demands, for her neck will be flex- 

 ible enough for her to hold her head in any de- 

 sired position without undue effort. And the 

 same thing can be done in motion, if this is not 

 too rapid. 



As already said, the circular movement de- 

 scribed (termed a pirouette about the hind, and a 

 reversed pirouette about the fore feet) should be 

 made on one absolutely unmoved fore or hind 



