THE REASONED EQUITATION 



a diagonal effect with the horse at the gallop, which 

 is a lateral gait. 



These lateral flexions of the neck, with the direct 

 flexions of the jaw, are to be done at the walk, not 

 too continuously, but occasionally only, and with 

 frequent return to the direct flexions of mouth and 

 neck. I emphasize this, because the horse is built 

 to travel straight an axiom of the reasoned equi- 

 tation and only occasionally to alter its natural 

 posture. 



When these lateral flexions can be done, to either 

 side, at a walk, they are repeated in the same way 

 at a slow trot. 



When the animal executes them properly at the 

 trot, the trainer should begin passing a corner to 

 the right, with a half lateral flexion to the left, 

 while he bears down his weight on his own right 

 buttock, but without relaxing contact with his legs. 



I recommend to the student, at this point, to take 

 note of his own progress. The work on foot has 

 given him the power to see with his eyes and to feel 

 with his fingers the action which he has asked of 

 the horse. Equestrian tact has been born in him. 

 The problem is now to keep this tact developing 

 progressively. The requirements are quality, not 

 quantity, perseverance, honesty, patience, gener- 

 osity. 



In dividing the time for this work on the flexions, 

 it should be understood that the horse is not to be 

 kept in one fixed position for the entire time 



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