CHAPTER XXI 

 THE ASSEMBLAGE 



BY means of the foregoing work, which has been 

 only preparatory, of the flexions, the mobiliza- 

 tion of the fore and hind hands, and the movements 

 backward, the cavalier has mastered the use of his 

 various means, and the horse has come to under- 

 stand their effects. The rider can now obtain from 

 his horse the position of "in hand." Starting with 

 this position, and using all the effects together, the 

 rider should now be able, by means of the collection 

 or assemblage, to obtain an equilibrium in which 

 all the animal's forces are reunited at a center of 

 gravity, situated exactly beneath his own weight, 

 which, in its turn, bears equally and perpendicu- 

 larly on the spinal column of the horse. 



This position, obtained and continued at will by 

 the cavalier, is the great ideal of equitation, since 

 it gives immediate and complete control of the 

 animal by the man. To the young trainer, at first 

 sight, it appears difficult. Yet it is not. If one has 

 followed the progression of the flexions and mobi- 

 lizations, and has obtained regularly the " in hand " 

 position, he will also secure, without too much 

 difficulty, the subsequent position of equilibrium. 

 But, of course, the conformation of the horse, both 



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