83 THE ART OF 



ease, and by almost imperceptible movementSr 

 The same thing is said of a horse prompt to 

 obey the helps. 



Air^ — Is said of the fine attitude of a horse 

 in the various evolutions that he executes, 

 and of the cadence that he observes in his 

 movements, according to the species of gait, 

 whether natural or artificial, in which he 

 moves. Certain artificial airs or gaits in- 

 vented to display at once the grace and sup- 

 pleness of the horse, and the address of the 

 rider. Airs are called low or lofty according 

 as they are more or less detached from the 

 ground. 



Allures, or gaits. See in the first part the 

 article devoted to the gaits of a horse. 



Appui, or rest. The sensation which the 

 bridle produces in the hand of the lider, and 

 reciprocally the action that the hand exercises 

 on the lower jaw of the horse by means of 

 the bit. A horse has no rest when he cannot 

 support the action of the bit, and when he 

 gives blows of the head for the purpose of 

 relieving himself from it; he has too great a 

 rest when he presses heavily on the bridle ; 

 he has a liberal or free rest, when, without 

 pressing or beating the hand, he leaves in the 



