CHAPTER VI. 



OP THE CONCENTRATION OP THE FORCES OF THE HORSE BV 

 THE RIDER. 



The rider now understands that the only means of 

 obtaining precision and regularity of movement in the 

 walk and trot is to keep the horse perfectly light while 

 he is exercised at these paces. As soon as we are sure 

 of this lightness while going in a straight line, in changes 

 of direction, and in circular movements it will be easy 

 to preserve it while exercising on two lines.* 



I would here treat immediately of the gallop; but 

 this pace, more complicated than the two others, demands 

 an arrangement on the part of the horse, and a power 

 on the part of the rider, that the preceding exercises have 

 not yet been able to give. The proper placing of the 

 horse's head spreads his forces over the whole of his 

 body ; it is necessary, in order to perform correctly the 

 different exercises at a gallop, and to enable yourself 

 properly to direct the forces in energetic movements, to 

 bring them into a common focus— that is, to the centre 

 of gravity of the animal. I am about to explain how 

 this is to be done. 



The use of the spurs. — Professors of equitation and 

 authors upon this subject have said that the spurs are to 

 punish the horse when he does not respond to the legs, 

 or when he refuses to approach an object that frightens 

 him. With them, the spur is not an aid, but a means of 



• Previously explained. 



