Suppling the forehand. — The hind quarters having 

 been drilled by the foregoing work, we must promptly 

 train the forehand in order that both ends of the horse 

 shall be in harmony as regards mobility and suppleness. 



Shoulder in. — ^^ Shoulder in" is the starting point in 

 forehand suppling; this exercise furnishes the means of 

 bending the forehand and spinal column and of training 

 the forelegs to cross each other easily. La Gueriniere 

 says: 



This lesson produces so many good results at once, that I consider 

 it the first and the last to be given to the horse. 



** Shoulder in'' is obtained in the following manner: 



Marching on the right hand, open the right rein as in 

 changing direction to the right, and press the left rein 

 upon the neck. Close the right leg to push the mass 

 from right to left and slip the left leg behind the girth 

 to restrict as much as possible the swinging of the 

 haunches. 



The support of the left rein is indispensable in order to 

 keep the proper balance of the shoulders — that is, to pre- 

 vent the weight of the right shoulder from plunging 

 heavily upon the left shoulder. 



The horse's head must be firmly held between the two 

 reins, otherwise the exercise would become a lateral 

 flexion of the neck and would do more harm than good. 



The bending of the horse's body should not be over- 

 strained. For example, it is perfect if, on the right hand, 

 the left front foot and the right hind foot make tracks 

 on a line obviously parallel to the wall of the riding hall. 



42 



