THE REASONED EQUITATION 



positions taken by the horse as he executes his 

 great diversity of strides, steps, gaits, and move- 

 ments. The rider must, therefore, by means of his 

 effects of ensemble, be always checking this tend- 

 ency, or restoring the equilibrium as soon as it 

 escapes. When the horse is standing still, the rider 

 will feel this escape of the equilibrium in his bridle 

 hand. But when the horse is in motion, this feeling 

 comes only through the seat. An able esquire 

 reestablishes the equilibrium by the accuracy of 

 his seat, economizing hands and legs. 



These effects of ensemble are employed most 

 efficiently just before the demand for a new move- 

 ment, a new direction, or a new gait; and also to 

 maintain the equilibrium during the succeeding 

 movement without change of speed or gait. All 

 this is in accord with the principle of Baucher, who 

 created the effects of ensemble: "The position 

 gives the correct movement; the movement should 

 never give the position. " 



These effects of ensemble, employed on a well- 

 trained horse, are, however, virtually impercepti- 

 ble to the onlooker. 



