RESTING THE CHIN ON BREAST. 99 



the neck. In this position, the horse's chin 

 comes back near the breast, and rests in 

 contact with the lower part of the neck ; 

 too high a croup, joined to a permanent 

 contraction of the muscles that lower the 

 neck, is generally the* cause of it. These 

 muscles must then be suppled in order to 

 destroy their intensity, and thereby give to 

 the muscles that raise the neck, their anta- 

 gonists, the predominance which will make 

 the neck rest in a graceful and useful posi- 

 tion. This first accomplished, the horse 

 will be accustomed to go forward freely at 

 the pressure of the legs, and to respond, 

 without abruptness or excitement, to the 

 touch of the spurs (attaques)-, the object of 

 these last is to bring the hind legs near the 

 centre, and to lower the croup. The rider 

 will then endeavor to raise the horse's head 

 by the aid of the curb-reins; in this case, 

 the hand will be held some distance above 



