THE FLEXIONS MOUNTED 



nevertheless, still further improve with the follow- 

 ing lateral and direct flexions of the neck. 



For the lateral flexion of the neck to the right, 

 the trainer takes both curb reins in his left hand, 

 his little finger separating the two, holding them of 

 equal length, and short enough to give the proper 

 contact and to supple the mouth by their fingering. 

 In his right hand he holds the right snaffle rein only, 

 the left lying slack across the curb reins. By carry- 

 ing the right hand still farther to the right, keeping 

 the same pull on the right snaffle rein, by repeated 

 and progressive pressure, the horse's head will be 

 turned to the right, pivoting at the region of the 

 atlas. This inclination will be very slight at the 

 beginning; but with repetition and caresses, the 

 horse very soon learns to swing its head far enough 

 to transfer at will the weight from one fore leg to 

 its mate, dispose its center of gravity, and make 

 the various changes of direction. During the lateral 

 flexion with the snaffle rein to either side, the hand 

 holding the curb reins should be kept immovable, 

 and only the fingers give and take with the mouth. 

 After the head has been flexed, it is to return to its 

 straight position, little by little, by the progressive 

 slackening of the snaffle rein, always at the will 

 of the rider, never suddenly at the will of the 

 horse. The lateral flexion is complete when the 

 head turns to a right angle with the axis of the 

 body and the frontal bone is perpendicular to 

 the ground. 



