42 NOTES ON EQUITATION 



but in the first lessons, do not insist. Gradually lengthen 



the time before straightening. 



***** 



Haunches in, is a suppling exercise for the hind quar- 

 ters; its object is to make the spinal column pliable and to 

 accustom the hind legs to stepping across each other. It 

 also makes the haunches quick to obey and constitutes an 

 excellent preparation for two-track work and for the gallop 

 lead. 



Difference Between Haunches In and Two-Track Work. The 

 movement of swinging the haunches in must not be con- 

 fused with two-track work. The latter is a regular move- 

 ment to be taken up after the completion of the suppling of 

 the forehand as well as that of the haunches; in this move- 

 ment the horse, placed or held correctly in a position from 

 head to croup, is oblique to his path rather than curved to 

 it. The former, on the contrary, is merely an exercise with 

 the object of making the haunches supple and easily con- 

 trolled. 



Dismounted Work. Before beginning mounted work on 

 the haunches, it is sometimes useful to pave the way by dis- 

 mounted work with the whip; such work may be advantage- 

 ously combined with longeing. Work with the whip is 

 directed especially at the hind quarters and should not be 

 confused with the dismounted bending lessons which we 

 will take up later in curb-bridle work. 



There are two principle movements: 

 1. To move the horse to the front with the whip: The 

 horse being on the track and on the left hand, seize the 

 reins about six inches from the bit with the left hand, pull 

 them forward and at the same time strike light taps with 

 the whip behind the girth where the leg is usually applied. 



If the horse moves forward, let him walk a few steps, 

 make much of him and then halt him. 



If he stands still, gradually increase the force of the 

 whip taps until he moves. 



If the horse backs away, hold him tight with the hand 



