62 NEW METHOD OP HORSEMANSHIP. 



of the hind-parts, by preserving the advantages we have 

 already acquired over the fore-parts, and by keeping 

 separated those contractions we have yet to combat. 



The leg of the rider opposite to that which determines 

 the rotation of the croup, must not be kept off during 

 the movement, but remain close to the horse and keep 

 him in place, while giving from the rear forward an 

 impulse which the other leg communicates from right to 

 left, or from left to right. There will thus be one force 

 which keeps the horse in position, and another which 

 determines the rotation. In order that the pressure of 

 the two legs should not counteract one another, and 

 in ordei- to be able to use them both together, the leg 

 intended to move the croup will be placed farther 

 behind the girths than the other, which will remain held 

 with a force equal to that of the leg that determines the 

 movement. Then the action of the legs will be distinct, 

 the one bearing from right to left, the other from the 

 rear forwards. It is by the aid of the latter that the 

 hand places and fixes the fore legs. 



To accelerate these results, at first, a second person 

 may be employed who will place himself at the height 

 of the horse's head, holding the curb-reins in the right 

 hand, and on tlie side opposite to which we wish the 

 croup to go. He will lay hold of the reins at six inches 

 from the branches of the bit, so as to be in a good posi- 

 tion to combat the instinctive resistances of the animal. 

 The one in the saddle will content himself with holdinor 



o 



lightly the snaffle-reins, acting with his legs as I have 

 already shown. The second person is only useful when 

 we have to deal with a horse of an intractable disposi- 

 tion, or to aid the inexperience of the one in the saddle; 

 but, as much should be done without assistance as pos- 

 sible, in order that the practitioner may judge by him- 



