THE FLEXIONS MOUNTED 



indicated, but is to be relieved by intervals of 

 freedom. My own experience is that a few steps 

 forward, light "in hand," or a few moments 

 standing head up, without the effect of the reins, 

 but by the horse's own free will, is a great rest. 

 Without some such respite, the trainer asking the 

 flexions too continuously, the horse becomes dis- 

 couraged and nervous. 



Very probably, too, the rider's own action of 

 hand and fingers will not be altogether correct at 

 first. But practice is the road to perfection, and as 

 I am convinced that my theory is correct, I urge 

 the student to be patient and perseverant. Fur- 

 thermore, I myself entertain always a friendly 

 sentiment toward the horse; and I try to inculcate 

 this feeling in the mind of the student. 



RENDERING THE HAND 



To "render the hand" is to relax the tension of the 

 reins, either by movement of the arms or by loosen- 

 ing the grip of the fingers. It is not the same as to 

 "abandon" the horse, as already discussed. Since, 

 in equitation, the various means act by strength 

 of effects rather than by effects of strength, they 

 tend to lose their effect the longer they are con- 

 tinued. We must, then, cease the effect for a longer 

 or shorter time, in order to renew the sensibility. 

 Raabe, Baucher, and Fillis, although they evidently 

 themselves employed the device, seem not to have 

 thought it necessary to discuss or teach it. 



157 



