FLEXIONS OF THE NECK. 249 



Ihis, as m all other operations, the force applied by the 

 trainer should be proportioned to the resistance of the horse. 



Lateral Flexions of the Neck. — The trainer will 

 stand bj the side of the horse's shoulder, as in the fleiu.ons 

 of the jaw. He will take the right snaflle-rein in his right 

 hand, and draw upon it over the horse's neck, (see fig. 20,) 

 holding the left snafile tight enough to prevent the horse 

 from turning his body. 



As soon as the neck yields to allow the head to go 

 round to the right, the tension of the left rein must cease. 

 When the head is well brought round (fig. 21), the two 

 reins should be equally drawn upon until the head as- 

 sumes a perpendicular position, and until the horse evinces 

 his lightness by champing the bit. After having held him 

 a few seconds in this position, the head should be gently 

 drawn back to its natural place. It is important that the 

 horse should not be allowed to do anything of his own 

 will, and his head should be drawn back before he tries to 

 move it of his own accord. The flexion to the left, wliich 

 should be alternated with this, is of course performed b} 

 the opposite process. When this flexion can be readil;^ 

 made with the snaffle, the curb-reins should be used until 

 the least touch is sufficient to cause the horse to turn his 

 head quite to the shoulder. This is an exercise which 

 should be frequently repeated, even after the training oi 

 the horse has been completed, as it will serve to keep him 

 light and submissive. It is not necessary at all times to 

 cause the horse to bring his head entirely round ; it ia 

 better occasionally to cause the head, pivoting on the neck, 

 to be lightly turned from side to side, so that the horse 

 shall look toward either side, and not to the rear, as in tho 

 complete flexion. 



Lateral Flexions of the Neck — ^the Trainer ln 

 rHE Saddle — For this exercise the trainer should be in 



