FLEXION OF THE LEGS. 21 



watch that the thigh does not fall back heavily ; it 

 should resume its position by a slowly progressive 

 motion, and without a jerk. He ought, moreover, dur- 

 ing the first lesson, to take hold of the pupil's leg and 

 direct it, in order to make him understand the proper 

 way of performing this displacement. He will thus save 

 him fatigue, and obtain the result more quickly. 



This kind of exercise, very fatiguing at first, requires 

 frequent rests ; it would be wrong to prolong the exer- 

 cise beyond the powers of the pupil. The motions of 

 drawing in (adduction, ^Yhich' makes the thigh adhere to 

 the saddle), and putting out {abductio?i, which separates 

 it from the saddle), becoming more easy, the thighs wdll 

 have acquired a suppleness which will admit of their ad- 

 herence to the saddle in a good position. Then comes 

 the flexion of the legs. 



Flexion of the legs. — The instructor will watch that 

 the knees always preserve their perfect adherence to the 

 saddle. The leocs will be swunor backward and forward 

 like the pendulum of a clock ; that is, the pupil will raise 

 them so as to touch the cantle of the saddle with his 

 heels. The repetition of these flexions will soon render 

 the legs supple, pliable and independent of the thighs. 

 The flexions of the legs and thighs will be continued for 

 four days (eight lessons). To make each of these move- 

 ments more correct and easier, eight days (or sixteen les- 

 sons), will be devoted to it. The fifteen days (thirty les- 

 sons), which remain to complete the month, will continue 

 to be occupied by the exercise of stationary supplings; 

 but, in order that the pupil may learn to combine the 

 strength of his arms, and that of his loins, he will be made 

 to hold at arm's length, progressively, weights of from ten 

 to forty pounds. This exercise will be commenced in the 

 least fatiguing position, the arm being bent, and the 



