THE REASONED EQUITATION 



It is, however, one of the axioms of equitation 

 that any effect of rider on horse loses its influence 

 more and more the longer it is continued. If, then, 

 bits or calves or spurs are employed continuously, 

 without relaxation, the horse in time accepts the 

 contact, becomes wonted to it, and all the effect 

 disappears. 



It is, therefore, necessary, from time to time, to 

 "render the legs" in the same way that one renders 

 the hand. Otherwise the sensibility to the pressure 

 of the legs will wear away, or the hind hand will 

 become fatigued and the horse refuse. But since 

 the effect of the legs is less natural to the horse and 

 less obvious to the rider than the effect of the hands, 

 even more care must be taken to employ this effect 

 with proper moderation. Moreover, if after ob- 

 taining motion forward by means of the contact of 

 the legs, the rider continues to maintain the same 

 contact as before, the horse will soon fail to under- 

 stand the meaning of the first pressure. Relaxation 

 of the contact is absolutely essential for Conveying 

 the meaning of the contact. 



There are, however, two different ways of ren- 

 dering the legs. Suppose that, to urge the horse 

 forward, the rider needs three degrees of pressure. 

 He exerts these three degrees, and the horse goes 

 forward. The required speed being obtained, the legs 

 then return to their normal one degree of contact, 

 and the horse continues the movement for himself. 

 This principle applies to all gaits and speeds. 



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