RIDING AND TRAINING. 1 03 



the base of support is so small and unstable that 

 a movement must take place in some direction, 

 the forces of the horse are poised. (Fig. 18.) In 

 this state, although the animal is perfectly still, 

 the tension of the nervous and muscular systems of 

 the horse is so great that the pose can be maintained 

 in perfection but for a moment ; a movement then 

 takes place, or one or the other extremity loses its 

 lightness. The poise in place is taught to enable 

 the rider to collect the forces in action, but no 

 regular movement is made from this closely col- 

 lected position. 



The effect of the poise, or absolute collection and 

 balance of the horse, is used in action when the 

 course is to be modified or reversed ; in consequence 

 of this equilibrium of the forces no movement can 

 take place in any direction until the forces of one or 

 the other extremity are permitted to yield. 



But, as we shall see, the poise should be taught 

 to the horse when it is moving in direct lines at the 

 various paces, and it should be practised until the 

 animal will, in the walk, trot, or gallop, cease and 

 resume the advance without losing its lightness. 

 The poise in action has the same characteristics as 

 the poise at a halt, with regard to the lowering of 

 the neck, the pliancy of the jaw, and the swelling of 

 crest, but is further marked by a higher carriage of 



