EXPOSITION OF THE METHOD. 115 



A. To prevent the bad effects resulting from the in- 

 stinctive forces of the horse, and to make him appreciate 

 the forces transmitted by the rider without opposing 

 them. 



Q. Can the horse execute a movement without a shift- 

 ing of weight ? 



A. It is impossible. We must first seek to make the 

 horse take a position which causes such a variation in 

 his equilibrium that the movement may be a natural con- 

 sequence of it. 



Q. What do you understand by position ? 



A. An arrangement of the head, neck and body, pre- 

 viously disposed according to the movements of the 

 horse. 



Q. In what consists the ramener ? 



A. In the perpendicular position of the head, and the 

 lightness that accompanies it. 



§. What is the distribution of the forces and v/^eight 

 in the ramener f 



A. The forces and weight are equally distributed 

 through all the mass. 



Q. How do we address the intelligence of the horse ? 



A. By the position, because it is that which makes the 

 horse know the rider's intentions. 



Q. Why is it necessary that in the backward move- 

 ments of the horse, the legs of the rider precede the 

 hand ? 



A. Because we must displace the points of support 

 before placing upon them the mass that they must sus- 

 tain. 



Q. Is it the rider that determines his horse ? 



A. No. The rider gives action and position, which 

 are the language ; the horse answers this demand by the 

 change of pace or direction that the rider had intended 



