THE SCIENTIFIC EQUITATION 



a disposition of the animal's forces as does the 

 trot. 



The "in hand" for the gallop backward is be- 

 tween the "upon the hand" and "behind the 

 hand." A horse upon the hand lifts its front legs 

 too high and its hind legs not high enough. But if 

 the rider livens it by the action of his own legs, the 

 horse rears or points forward. If the horse is behind 

 the hand, the fore legs do not lift sufficiently, and 

 the tempo of the gallop is not exact. It is, however, 

 not possible to describe completely the sensation 

 which comes to the rider's hand, and only by ex- 

 perience can the rider determine whether he is right 

 or wrong. 



In fine, then, perfect equilibrium, terre-a-terre, 

 perfect equilibrium, flexion of the rider's coupling, 

 fingering, moderation, and good fortune. The 

 backward gallop proves uncommon suppleness on 

 the part of the horse, together with great strength 

 in the haunches. On the part of the rider, it proves 

 high equestrian tact. Yet the position which the 

 horse takes and the action of its legs are far from 

 graceful, and the utility of the air is debatable. It 

 risks the soundness of the horse's hocks, and it is 

 certainly not worth attempting by a beginner, who 

 has to spoil several horses physically and morally 

 before he attains to the tact and the accuracy 

 of seat essential to the gallop backward without 

 danger. 



And yet, for any rider, experience with the gallop 



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