THE FLEXINGS OF THE HORSE. 357 



two principal levers by which we direct the animal, it is impos- 

 sible to obtain any thing from him nntil we render ourselves 

 masters of these first and indispensable means of action. Behind 

 the parts in which the forces are most exerted by mnscnlar con- 

 tractions for resistance, are the loins and the croup. 



The contraction of these two opposite extremities are, mu- 

 tually the one to the other, causes and effects, that is to say, the 

 rigidity of the neck induces that of the haunches, and vice versa. 

 We may combat the one by the other ; and so soon as we Imve 

 succeeded in annlling them, so soon as we have re-established 

 the equilibrium and harmony which they prevented between 

 the fore and hind parts, the education of the horse will be half 

 finished. I proceed now to point out the means of arriving in- 

 fallibly at this result. 



THE FLEXINGS OF THE HOESE. 



This work being an exposition of a method Avhich is designed 

 to subvert most of the old principles of horsemanship, it is under- 

 stood that I now address men only who are already conversant with 

 the equestrian art, and unite to an assured seat a familiarity with 

 the horse, sufficiently great to understand all that concerns his 

 mechanism. I will not, then, revert to the elementary processes ; 

 it is for the instructor to judge if his pupil possess a proper de- 

 gree of solidity of seat, and is sufficiently a part of the horse ; 

 for at the same time that a good seat produces this identification, 

 it favors the easy and regular play of the rider's extremities. 



My present object is to treat principally of the education 

 of the horse ; but this education is too intimately connected with 

 that of the rider, that he should make any considerable progress 

 in the one without a knowledge of the other. In explaining the 

 processes which should produce perfection in the animal, I shall 

 necessarily teach the horseman to apply them himself; he will 

 only have to practise to-morrow what I teach him to-day. Never- 

 theless, there is one thing that no precept can give ; that is, a 

 fineness of touch, a delicacy of equestrian sensibility which be- 

 longs only to certain privileged organizations, and without 

 which, we seek in vain to pass certain limits. Having said this, 

 we will return to our subject. 



