LATERAL FLEXIONS ON HORSEBACK. 369 



often content himself with executing them half way, the head 

 and upper part of the neck pivoting upon the lower part, which 

 will serve as a base, or axis. This exercise must be frequently- 

 repeated, even after the horse's education is completed, in order 

 to keep up the pliabilitj of his neck, and facilitate the getting 

 him in hand. 



It now remains for us, in order to complete the suppling of 

 the head and neck, to combat the contractions which occasion 

 the direct resistances, and prevent our getting the horse's head 

 into a perpendicular position. 



For the direct flexions of the head and neck, or for bring- 

 ing in the nose, the rider will first use the snatfle-reins, which he 

 will hold together in tlie left hand, as he would the curb-reins. 

 He will rest the outer edge of the right hand upon the reins in 

 front of the left hand, in order to increase the power of the 

 right hand; after which he will gradually bear on the snaflBle- 

 bit. So soon as the horse yields, it will suflice to raise the right 

 hand, in order to diminish the tension of the reins, and reward 

 the animal. As the hand must only present a force proportion- 

 ed to the resistance of the neck, it will only be necessary to hold 

 the legs rather close to prevent backing. When the horse obeys 

 the action of the snaffle, he will yield much more quickly to 

 that of the curb,«tlie effect of which is so much more powerful. 

 The curb, of course, needs more care in the use of it than the 

 snaffle. 



The horse will have completely yielded to the action of the 

 hand, when his head is carried in a position perfectl}^ perpen- 

 dicular to the ground; from that time the contraction will cease, 

 which the animal will show, as in every other case, by champ- 

 ing his bit. Tlie rider must be careful nc t to be deceived by the 

 feints of the horse, feints which consist in yielding one-fourth or 

 one-third of the way, and then hesitating. If, for example, the 

 nose of the horse having to pass over a t i.rve of ten degrees to 

 attain the perpendicular position, should stop at the fourth or 

 sixth, and again resist, the hand should follow the movement, 

 and then remain firm and immovable, for a concession on its 

 part would encourage resistance and increase the difficulties. 

 When the nose shall descend to i!^o. 10, the perpendicular posi- 

 tion will be complete, and the lightness perfect. The rider can 

 Vol. II.— 24 



