72 



PRINCIPLES OF 



P. III. 



The appui being always in the same de- 

 gree, would heat the mouth, would dull the 

 sense of feeling, would deaden the horse's 

 bars, and render them insensible and callous. 

 Lightness of hand consists, then, in an almost 

 imperceptible alternate feeling and easing of 

 the bridle, regulated by the motion of the 

 horse. 



By proper attention to this practice, the 

 natural delicacy and feeling of the horse's 

 mouth will be preserved, — the rider's hand 

 will be gradually formed, — and a constant 

 correspondence between the horse and the 

 rider will be established. On the contrary, 

 any dead or continued pull will produce 

 effects directly opposite to those desired. 



It is indispensably necessary, therefore, that 

 all the operations of the hand should be firm, 

 gentle, and light ; and, in order to this, it is 

 necessary that the wrist alone should direct 

 all its motions, by steering it, if we may so 

 say, through every motion which it is to 

 make. 



