THE FLEXIONS 



indirectly those of the neck. Thus by the continual 

 communication of this indirect effect, which in its 

 turn, emanates from the first direct effect of the bits 

 on the bars, the rider controls also the action of the 

 front limbs. 



Here, then, is the theory of so much of the animal 

 mechanism as is exercised by the flexions. I urge 

 the trainer, at this point, to regard as essential 

 the character of the flexion obtained by his work, 

 rather than its amount. The important matter is 

 not that the horse shall bend its neck more or less 

 readily, but that it shall respond with head and 

 neck to the tension of the reins; that it does not 

 cease this tension of its own will, but while keeping 

 the contact of the bits, shall obey this tension 

 consistently. 



It is desirable for the horse's education, not to 

 commence this work of the flexions unless there is 

 to be time to complete it. Further consideration of 

 the bones, joints, and muscles involved in locomo- 

 tion will be found under the caption, "Legs and 

 Their Effects/ ' the same illustrations serving for 

 fore hand, trunk, and hind hand. 



The masters of equitation before Baucher had 

 already employed a system of flexions for suppling 

 the neck; but they failed to recognize the impor- 

 tance of a further suppling of the mouth. Baucher, 

 in his reasoned equitation, saw the need of suppling 

 the mouth also, and developed a series of flexions 

 for both the mouth and the neck. 



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