Manual of Equitation and Horse Training 93 



It gives suppleness and pliability to the spinal column 

 in consequence of the continual play of the vertebrae in all 

 directions. 



It puts the horse up to his bit because the leg acting in 

 the same direction as the hand obliges him to accept the 

 tension of the rein. 



It disciplines the horse to the leg because the rein, 

 acting in the same direction as the leg, makes him under- 

 stand and accept its action. 



Shoulder-in, therefore, is the very best of all gymnas- 

 tic movements which may be demanded of the horse. Its 

 execution is easy and its results excellent and quick. 



One must avoid executing this movement on the track, 

 for the horse is then attracted by the latter, he seeks to re- 

 enter it, and consequently only bends his neck instead of 

 freeing his shoulders, and this is opposite to the object 

 sought. Shoulder-in is first demanded on the circle; little 

 by little the horse is made to understand it when carried 

 off the circle for several steps— then pet and straighten 

 him, and commence again. 



As soon as the horse understands what is asked of him 

 and the movement is well executed at the walk, it is re- 

 peated at the trot. 



For good execution of the movement, it is necessary 

 that the hand which retains the inside shoulder shall act 

 rather steadily on a short rein and not operate by any 

 traction from front to rear. 



The horse should be frequently exercised in this move- 

 ment. The shoulders must be carefully alternated. Be- 

 tween each change one must move on the straight line for 

 several steps. The supplings must last only a very short 

 time. 



One should profit by the engagement of the hind legs 

 to push the horse into a cadenced, extended trot. 



The cadenced iroL— The cadenced trot is a very regular 

 trotof great extension, produced by the energetic disten- 

 sion of the haunches and hocks. It is obtained when, im- 

 pulsion, having been accumulated in the hindquarters by 

 the action of the legs, the rider eases the hand, contenting 

 himself with giving the head and neck the necessary sup- 

 port to facilitate the extension of the gait. 



At first it is demanded only during a few strides. As 

 the horse becomes more vigorous, better disciplined, and 



