RESTING THE CHIN ON BKEAST. 63 



from the right to the left, or the left to the right. By 

 this means, also, we distribute the weight of the mass 

 equally on the four legs, and produce temporary immo- 

 bility. This combination of effects ought to precede and 

 follow each exercise within the graduated limit assigned 

 to it. It is essential when we employ the aids (i. e. the 

 hand and legs), in this, that the action of the legs should 

 precede the other, in order to prevent the horse from 

 backing against any place, for he might find, in this 

 movement, points of support that would enable him to 

 increase his resistance. Thus, all motion of the 

 extremities, proceeding from the horse himself, 

 should be stopped by a combination of effects; 

 finally, whenever his forces get scattered, and 

 act inharmoniously, the rider will find in this a powerful 

 and infallible corrective. 



It is by disposing all the parts of the horse in the 

 most exact order, that we will easily transmit to him the 

 impulsion that should cause the regular movements of 

 his extremities ; it is then also that we will address his 

 comprehension, and that he will appreciate what we 

 demand of him ; then will follow caresses of the hand 

 and voice as a moral effect ; they should not be used, 

 though, until after he has done what is demanded of him 

 by the rider's hand and legs. 



The horse's resting his chin on his breast. — Although 

 few horses are disposed by nature to do this, it is not the 

 less necessary, when it does occur, to practise on them all 

 the flexions, even the one which bends down the neck. 

 In this position, the horse's chin comes back near the 

 breast and rests in contact with the lower part of the 

 neck; too high a croup, joined to a permanent contrac- 

 tion of the muscles that lower the neck, is generally tho 

 cause of it. These muscles must then be suppled in 



