Ghiipler I.--USE OF THE HORSE 



Following training, the horse has become bold and 

 quiet. His suppleness and physical strength have been 

 developed and his resistance overcome by the special gym- 

 nastics of training; the horse has felt the aids and acknowl- 

 edges their authority. There remains the application of 

 the acquired results to the daily work. The rules set forth 

 hereafter serve as a basis for perfecting the riding instruc- 

 tion of the troopers. 



Keeping the horse straight. — It is important that the 

 horse travel straight, first, because of the position in ranks 

 which he must occupy, and, second, because this position 

 aids in imposing the gait demanded and regulating the 

 speed. 



The horse moves straight when the left shoulder and 

 and haunch and the right shoulder and haunch march or 

 are placed on parallel lines. In equitation it is convenient 

 to say the horse is straight in following a curved line when 

 his haunches and shoulders are placed so as to follow con- 

 centric curves. 



When the horse is straight, the two hind feet follow 

 exactly the line traced by the two fore feet; the haunches 

 and shoulders are then in positions which assure their 

 straight forward and backward play. When the two 

 haunches move equally, the impulsion is equally divided 

 and the translations of weight are regular and easy. The 

 forces which emanate from the two ends of the horse find 

 no contradiction in their combined play, and all work 

 toward a common end, the direct march, for which the 

 horse is perfectly adjusted. 



If instead of moving straight the horse is traversed, all 

 the harmonious agreement between the forces of the fore 

 hand and those of the hind quarters are seen to disappear, 

 as well as the equitable division of weight and the ease of 

 changing direction; further, the haunches oppose the 

 shoulders and afford a point of support for resistance. 



It is most important before undertaking anything else 

 to place and keep the horse straight. 



107 



