PLACING THE HORSE 



neck, pushes the shoulder toward the opposite 

 side. 



For example, the rider desires to turn his horse to 

 the right. Holding one rein in each hand, the right 

 hand immovable, he passes his left hand across, 

 above the right, so that the rein bears upon the 

 muscles of the left side of the neck. The horse, 

 therefore, contracts these muscles. But, since his 

 head is held straight by the fixity of the right rein, 

 the result is to pull the left fore leg over toward the 

 right, in front of its mate. But as soon as the left leg 

 takes the Weight, the right leg also steps toward 

 the right. Repetition of the contractive effect will 

 compel a second similar step; and the body will 

 turn toward the right impelled by the hind legs. 

 In order for the horse once more to travel straight 

 ahead, the rein of contraction ceases its effect and 

 returns to equality with the other. 



This action of the rein of contraction is what is 

 commonly called " guiding by the neck." I do not, 

 however, understand that the expression, to "guide 

 by the neck/' must always mean the rein of contrac- 

 tion. With the rein of opposition or with the rein 

 direct, the horse is also always guided by the neck. 

 But these are really three different effects. 



IN HAND 



A HORSE is said to be "in hand" when the bars are 

 in contact with the bit with which the rider's hand 

 communicates through the reins. 



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