178 METHOD OF HORSEMANSHIP. 



ing parts, and, consequently, can easily and 

 promptly execute changes of feet. 



We know the contraction of any one 

 part of the horse reacts on the neck, and 

 that the stiffness of this part prevents the 

 proper execution of every movement. If, 

 then, at the moment of setting off on a 

 gallop, the horse stiffen one of his extremi- 

 ties, and consequently his neck, of what 

 use, in determining his starting with the 

 right foot, can be the support of one or the 

 other leg of the rider, or even of that of 

 both at once? These means will evidently 

 be ineffectual until we go back to the source 

 of the resistance, for the purpose of combat- 

 ing and destroying it. Here, as in every 

 other case, we see that suppleness and light- 

 ness alone can make the execution of the 

 work easy. 



If, when we wish to make the horse start 

 with the right foot, a slight contraction of 



