PLACING THE HORSE 



the principle enunciated by Baucher: "The position 

 gives the movement.'* The fact is, a horse, well 

 conformed, healthy, and well mounted, when un- 

 der transmitted equilibrium, finds it much more 

 difficult, physically and morally, to alter that state 

 and refuse the movement asked, than to obey. The 

 proof is that the same movement, asked of an 

 inferior animal, will result in revolt. 



It is evident, then, that the horse is compelled, 

 by the condition of transmitted equilibrium, to 

 seek instinctively that state of balance which 

 involves a less physical effort in executing any 

 change of gait or direction, than when it is not in 

 balance. After this position of balance is given by 

 the rider, the horse will not refuse to execute a 

 movement which does not compromise the condi- 

 tion. This is the reason why the competent esquire, 

 who knows how to place his horse preliminary to 

 the movement, never has a restive or disobedient 

 animal. What is more, if a well-educated horse, 

 accustomed to the position of equilibrium, is by 

 circumstances put out of that state, it is simply lost 

 and does not know what to do with itself. But, of 

 course, riding of this sort is no offhand matter. It 

 requires study and knowledge, time and self-control. 



But, unfortunately, there is always the rider 

 who, for example, asks of his mount the turn to one 

 side at the trot, but neglects first to place the horse 

 in the position which makes the movement possible. 

 The animal necessarily refuses. To whom belongs 



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