EXPOSITION OF THE METHOD. 231 



the instinctive forces of the horse, we must 

 wait till he is perfectly in hand, to obtain a 

 backward movement, a true reculer. 



Q. What constitutes a true reculer ? 



A. The lightness of the horse (head per- 

 pendicular), the exact balance of his body, 

 and the equal elevation of the legs diago- 

 nally. 



Q. At what distance ought the spur to 

 be placed from the horse's flanks before the 

 attaque commences? 



A. The rowel should not be farther than 

 two inches from the horse's flanks. 



Q. How ought the attaques to be practiced ? 



A. They ought to reach the flanks by a 

 movement like the stroke of a lancet, and 

 be taken away as quickly. 



Q. Are there circumstances where the 

 attaque ought to be practiced, without the 

 aid of the hand ? 



A. Never ; since its only object should be 



