ADVANTAGES TO BE PRESERVED. 61 



the reversed pirouette, for example, if when the horso 

 has yielded to the pressure of the leg, we continue to 

 oppose the rein on the same side as this leg, it is evident 

 that we will shoot beyond the mark, since we will be 

 employing a force which has become useless. We must 

 then establish two motive powers, the effect of which 

 balances, without interfering ; this, the tension of the 

 rein on the opposite side from the leg will produce in 

 the pirouette. So, we will commence with the rein and 

 the leg of the same side, until it is time to pass to the 

 second part of the work, then with the curb-rein in the 

 left hand, and finally, with the snaffle-rein opposite to 

 the leg. The forces will then be kept in a diagonal posi- 

 tion, and in consequence, the equilibrium natural, and 

 the execution of the movement easy. The horse's head 

 being turned to the side where the croup is moving, adds 

 much to the gracefulness of the performance, and aids 

 the rider in regulating the activity of the haunches, and 

 keeping the shoulders in place. For the rest, tact alone 

 will be able to show him how to use the leg and the rein, 

 in such a way that their motions will mutually sustain, 

 without at any time counteracting one another. 



I need not remind you that during the whole of this 

 exercise, as on all occasions, the neck should remain sup- 

 ple and light ; the head in position (perpendicular) and 

 the jaw movable. While the bridle hand keeps them in 

 this proper position, the right hand, with the aid of the 

 snaffle, is combating the lateral resistances, and determin- 

 ing the different inclinations, until the horse is sufficient- 

 ly well broken to obey a simple pressure of the bit. If, 

 when combating the contraction of the croup, we permit- 

 ted the horse to throw its stiffness into the fore-parts, 

 our efforts would be vain, and the fruit of our first labors 

 lost. On the contrary, we will facilitate the subjection 



