"^2. Horse Training by Modern Methods. 



To gather the horse involves : 



1. Direct flexion (the flexion of the jaw and head 

 in the directioiil of the axis of the horse.) 



2. Lateral flexion (the flexion of the neck at the 

 poll in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the horse). 



Direct Flexion. — Direct flexion is the concession the 

 head and lower jaw of the horse make in the vertical 

 plane of the axis, of the horse when the action of the 

 reins arrests the extension of the neck. The giving of the 

 neck is confined to the upper portion^.; the front line of 

 the face is made to approach a vertical line and the head 

 is made to make in an almost imperceptible manner a 

 movement analogous to a nod. 



The giving of the jaw consists in opening the mouth, 

 causing complete abandon of the bit, followed immediate- 

 ly by the closing of the mouth auKl the taking up of con- 

 tact with the bit again. 



To flex the jaw in direct flexion, first start the Korse 

 into a walk. Never let the gait slacken during flexion. 

 Close the legs. When the horse) goes up into the bit, 

 close one hand on one snaftle rein (if the movement is 



