Manual op Equitation and Horse Trainino 87 



on the haunches (about on the haunclies), which is its limit, 

 gives the last degree of this engagement. 



The demivolte reversed, as the radius is decreased, 

 prepares the mobility of the haunches. The half turn 

 (about) on the forehand, which is its limit, gives absolute 

 mobility of the hindquarters by displacing them about the 

 forehand. 



False gallop. — The horse is prepared for the work at 

 the false gallop by the broken line at the gallop in accen- 

 tuating the false turns which this movement gives. Fol- 

 lowing this, the figure of eight and serpentine are taken up. 



The work on the eight is commenced on a large eight 

 inscribed in the length of the riding hall and executed only 

 once (tw^o consecutive changes of hand). When the 

 movement is executed without excitement the horses are 

 kept for a longer time on this large eight. When they gal- 

 lop calmly and well extended the figure is made smaller 

 little by little. The suppling should be sought by long 

 frequent work on the large eight rather than by an exag- 

 gerated closing of it, especially with cold-blooded horses. 

 Likewise, the serpentine consists at first of only one turn, 

 to be made gradually smaller as the horse progresses. 



This work leads the horse to modify his balance him- 

 self, and it gives the alternacy of extension and engage- 

 ment which is sought in all these gymnastics. 



To avoid the useless difficulty of departing in the false 

 gallop, one should always commence by a true turn. Dur- 

 ing the false turn the inside rein, by calculated opposition, 

 maintains the inside shoulder and haunch in rear, so as to 

 avoid the change of lead. This opposition diminishes as 

 the horses take the false turn more willingly. 



Backing. — Although backing may be quite a punish- 

 ment for a horse which, in spite of halts and half halts, 

 seeks to force the hand or to bear heavily on the bit, it is 

 also a means which serves to supple his spinal column and 

 which may dispose him to place himself on his haunches. 



Backing marks a further degree in the gymnastic 

 which consists in alternately reducing and increasing the 

 base of support. 



The suppling undergone by the young horse in the ex- 

 tension and collection of gaits will generally lead to his 

 backing without diflflculty. 



