TRAINING. 97 



moved up until the weight is equally divided by the 

 bearers, and neither extremity impedes the other. 



I shall not in the work in the snaffle bridle lay 

 too much stress upon the different forms of collec- 

 tion, because young riders can more readily produce 

 them with the curb bit, but in riding in the snaffle 

 the rider should demand a fairly good collection 

 of the forces, so that the horse moves in a good 

 cadence and with clear and free action. 



To move the horse forward In the walk, the rider 

 will draw the reins until he has a feeling upon the 

 mouth of the horse. The legs will then close 

 against the flanks, and the hands, by a series of 

 gentle vibrations, act against the horse's mouth. 

 When the horse disposes its legs so that the weight 

 is equally distributed upon the bearers, curves the 

 crest, sustains the head without support from the 

 reins, gives an elastic response to the hand, and by 

 the movement of the muscles under him the rider 

 feels that the impulses are ready, the animal is ' in 

 hand,' and ready to move forward. The pressure 

 of the legs will be continued, or if necessary slightly 

 increased, the hand will give sufficient liberty, and 

 the horse will move off in the walk. In the early 

 lessons the rider should avoid demanding too close 

 a collection ; but the forehand must not be allowed 

 to get heavy, nor the hind-quarters be permitted to 



