CHAPTEK VI. 

 HANDS AND LEGS. 



The horse is propelled by the hind-quai"ters, and the 

 movements are directed by the forehand. The legs of 

 the rider act upon the croup, and by their pressure bring 

 forward those forces ; the hand restrains the forces of the 

 forehand, and collects and guides all. When the forces 

 of the croup are brought forward to such a point that 

 they meet and balance the forces of the forehand, the 

 horse is in equilibrium, and no movement can be gener- 

 ated until one or other of the forces predominate. 



As the legs act upon the forces of the croup, and as 

 the hand governs the forces of the forehand, it will be 

 seen that this union and balance of the forces puts the 

 immediate and distinct control of the mass within the 

 power of the rider. 



The forward movement of the horse will be measured 

 by the effect of the forces of the croup to predominate, 

 and the corresponding yielding of the forces of the fore- 

 hand. 



But if the force opposite the augmented force does not 

 yield, then that unyielding part is the more firmly fixed 

 to the ground, as by an incumbent weight, and if action 

 takes place it must either be in rearing or in kicking. 



If the forces of the croup predominate, and the fore- 

 (55) 



