USUAL OR INSTINCTIVE EQUITATION 



horse's head is pulled to that side, and it tends to 

 turn in that direction. 



The rider's legs, on the other hand, have only one 

 effect: 



When both are pressed against the horse's flanks, 

 they determine the action of its hind legs, since, 

 to avoid the pressure, it advances the whole body. 

 Either leg used alone pushes the horse to the oppo- 

 site side. 



If, then, the horse is standing still, the pressure of 

 both the rider's legs starts it walking forward. If 

 the horse is in motion, pressure with the right leg, 

 accompanied by an increased pull on the right rein, 

 turns the animal to the right, and vice versa. Such 

 use of rein and leg on the same side constitutes 

 the right or left lateral effect. The rein gives the 

 direction to the front hand. The leg gives the im- 

 pulse to the hind hand, which thereupon pushes 

 forward in the direction indicated. 



It is, however, most important always to bear in 

 mind that such effect of hand and legs is always by 

 means of an added pull on one rein and an added 

 pressure of one leg, never by the diminished contact 

 of rein or leg on the other side. The principle is that 

 the effect of one rein or one leg, without the usual 

 contact on the other side, will not alter the direction 

 of the animal's forward motion, but will pivot him 

 on the fixed spot. If, then, the horse is advancing, 

 held to a straight line by, let us call it, two degrees 

 of contact of reins and legs, and it is desired to turn 



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