OBJECTS OF LATERAL FLEXIONS. 103 



flexion as in direct flexion, because the latter is a preparation 

 for the former. This faulty flexion, which is adopted by 

 those who have followed him, is made at the withers instead 

 of at the poll. Here, again, as in direct flexion, we find the 

 exciting cause of the lowering of the neck, which changes a 

 useful exercise into an injurious one. In it the head is low, 

 the bend of the neck is at the withers, instead of at the poll, 

 and the head of the horse is in profile instead of facing one. 



Fig. 34. — Incorrect lateral flexion. 



A comparison of Fig. 34 (wrong flexion) with Fig. 33 

 (correct flexion) shows us at a glance the advantages of the 

 lateral flexion which I have described, and the faults of the 

 flexion which is commonly practised. To complete this 

 criticism, I need only repeat all what I have said about the 

 wrong method of direct flexion and its faults. 



We need not be surprised that flexions have been 

 blamed for softening the neck ; that is to say, for rendering it 

 movable, independently of the remainder of the body, which 



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