NOTES ON EQUITATION 45 



haunches out on two trucks, the trooper (>as('s the hands, 

 the horse, being traversed and not hent, quits the track and 

 moves off at an oblique. 



About on the Haunches. The a})out on tlic haunclics con- 

 sists in causing the forehand to descri})e a half circle around 

 the haunches. It is a difficult movement and, custonuiry 

 methods of instruction to the contrary notwithstanding, 

 should not be taken up until after the completion of the 

 exercises of haunches in and shoulder in. 



The first part of the movement is easy enough; i)ut the 

 last part is difficult. Take for instance the right about. 

 Begin .the movement like a change of direction to the right, 

 holding the haunches firmly with the left leg. In the re- 

 mainder of the exercise the controlling aids are the left rein 

 and the left leg. The left rein has first a bearing effect 

 that, assisted by the right rein, swings the forehand on its 

 path; thereafter, it has an effect of diagonal traction, pull- 

 ing the mass back upon the right hock and thus holding 

 the haunches stationary. 



The about on the haunches is executed on the inside 

 liind leg, the outside hind leg gaining ground around it. 



Lateral Effect and Diagonal Effect. The movements that 

 have been already executed with the rein and the leg on the 

 same side, suffice to show the difference between the lateral 

 (effect and the diagonal effect. 



It is easy to see that the former is the means and that 

 the latter is the end in view. With young horses the right 

 rein comes to the assistance of the right leg: lateral effect. 

 With trained horses, the rein places or controls the fore- 

 hand while the leg controls the haunches: diagonal effect. 



