ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



the hind legs under the body and excite the 

 propelling power of the hind quarters. He 

 used the legs merely to drive the horse forwards 

 when necessary, or to bring the hind legs 

 under the body, and whilst using them kept 

 only half tension on the reins. He overcame 

 the resistance of the mouth and neck by actions 

 of the hand called "demi-arrets " and " vibra- 

 tions " ; using the one or the other according 

 as the resistance felt by the hand was merely 

 a dull heavy weight, or an active contraction of 

 the neck and lower jaw ; he employed the 

 demi-arrU or half halt in the first case, and 

 vibrations in the second. 



The demi-arret is thus described : Close the 

 fingers on the reins strongly without easing the 

 hands ; turn the nails upwards sharply and give 

 an upward pull proportioned to the resistance 

 to be overcome, so as to balance the horse on 

 his legs, then give a slight forward jerk from 

 the wrists so as to throw the bit away from the 

 lower jaw and deprive the horse of support. 

 One or two of these will make most horses 

 raise their heads. 



Vibrations are a series of gentle tugs at the 

 reins. When the horse resists the action of 

 one rein, say the right, it is better to give the 

 demi-arrU or the vibrations on the left rein of 



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