LATERAL rLP:XIOXS OX HORSEBACK. 47 



position for some seconds, he will make him resume his 

 former position by drawing on the left rein. It is most 

 important that the animal in all his movements should do 

 nothing of his own accord. (Plate VIII.) 



The flexion of the neck to the left is executed after 

 the same principles, but by inverse means. The man can 

 repeat with the curb what he has previously done with 

 the snaffle-reins ; but the snaffle should always be 

 employed first, its effect being less powerful and more 

 direct. 



When the horse submits without resistance to the pre- 

 ceding exercises, it will prove that the suppling of the 

 neck has already made a great step. The rider can, 

 henceforward, continue his work by operating with a less 

 direct motive power, and without the animal's being 

 impressed by the sigh<^ of him. He will place himself in 

 the saddle, and commence by repeating with the full 

 length of the reins, the lateral flexions, in which he has 

 already exercised his horse. 



Lateral flexions of the neck^ the man on horseback. — 



1. To execute the flexion to the rigiit, the rider will 

 take one snaffle-rein in each hand, the left scarcely feel- 

 ing the bit ; the right, on the contrary, giving a moder- 

 ate impression at first, but which will increase in propor- 

 tion to the resistance of the horse, and in a way always 

 to govern him. The animal, soon tired of a struggle 

 which, being prolonged, only makes the pain proceeding 

 from the bit more acute, will understand that the only 

 way to avoid it is to incline the head in the direction the 

 pressure is felt. (Plate IX.) 



2. As soon as the horse's head is brought round to the 

 right, the left rein will form opposition, to prevent the 

 nose from passing beyond the perpendicular. Great 

 stress should be laid on the head's remaining always in 



