38 EQUITATION AND HORSE TRAINING. 



very pronounced action of the left leg and left rein. This 

 strongly marked lateral effect carries the horse's haunches 

 to the right; that is to say, the horse while still gaining 

 ground yields to the effect of the left leg (and left rein) 

 and thus describes a half turn. The sarne movernent is 

 executed while marching on the left hand and the horse 

 eventually swings the haunches easily about the forehand, 

 without halting, without striking the fetlocks, and without 

 dancing. (Without either increase or decrease of ca- 

 dence.) — The Board. 



We have specified half turns reversed, but abouts, full 

 turns, and later, serpentines can also be used. 



About on the forehand. — ^The second lesson may also be 

 given by means of the abouts on the forehand; but it 

 would be wise not to insist upon this movement and to 

 use it only when absolutely necessary. 



The great drawback to abouts on the forehand is the 

 frequent halting of a young horse and the holding of him 

 in place by the action of the legs. This lesson used re- 

 peatedly at the beginning of training will eventually 

 check any movement straight to the front that has been 

 already obtained. 



Major Dutilh, although he explains in detail the system 

 of abouts on the forehand, himself points out the danger 

 of using them, for, following his explanation, he says: 



Caution riders that abouts on the forehand have the disadvantage 

 of rendering horses unresponsive to the action of the legs. In order to 



It must be remembered that at this stage of his instruction the colt 

 has learned little and would be unable to execute a left half turn in the 

 open. In the hall, however, he understands the opening of the right 

 rein that guides him off the track, to which he has grown accustomexi, 

 into the right oblique, and he understands the opening of the reverse 

 rein to guide him back. The prompt and forceful use of the left leg 

 then swings his haunches about and instead of being confused he moves 

 out willingly in the opposite direction, because he is again on his 

 familiar track next to the wall. — The Board. 



Obliquing to the right, if the command be simply: (1) On forehand, 

 (2) Half turn, (3) March, the movement is continued to the right in 

 the turn. 



