THE BAKB AND THE BRIDLE. 61 



CHAPTER IX. 



The Beimding and Cantering Lesson. 



According to the ordinary acceptation of the term, a horse is sup- 

 posed " to bend well" when he arches his neck, yields to the bit, and 

 uses his knees and hocks freely. This alone by no means conveys an 

 adequate idea, however, of what is meant by bending a horse in the 

 scientific sense. The " Mihtary Aid Book " supplies the following 

 question and answer, which gives in a very concise form a better 

 notion of the matter. 



Question: What is the use of the "bending lesson"? — Answer: 

 To make the horse supple in the nech and rihs^ to give free action to 

 his shoulder, and teach him to obey the pressure of the leg. 



It will be seen, then, that "bending a horse" really means^ 

 rendering him supple in every portion of his frame,, and especially in 

 his ribs and intercostal muscles, as it is suppleness in that part that 

 gives him the lithe, easy motions so pleasant to the rider. 



I have before observed that I do not consider an intimate know- 

 ledge of the " haut ecole de manege" indispensable for ordinary 

 riding purposes, either for a lady or gentleman. But, although the 

 " bending lesson " thoroughly carried out may be said to be the very 

 gist of " liaut ecole riding," even in its simple form^ unaccompanied 

 by the higher aids, it is of great service in rendering a horse docile 

 and obedient to hand and leg, and for that purpose is always 

 resorted to in our schools of military equitation. 



Now, although I do not expect every lady to acquire the art of 

 suppling her own horses, still a knowledge of the " bending lesson" 

 will make her thoroughly acquainted with the reasons why a horse 

 renders ready obedience to her aids of hand and leg ; and, on the 

 contrary, why he resists them. 



