CHAPTER II.

EQUILIBRIUM.

A little must be understood about equilibrium before the aids can properly be mastered.

_Direct Equilibrium._—This relates to the balance of the horse when the center of gravity is moved forward or backward. The fore legs of the horse are used for translation, the hind legs for propulsion. The horse naturally bears more weight upon his fore legs than upon his hind. The center of gravity, then, is nearer the fore quarters than the hind, which is therefore favorable to the forward movement of the horse.

If the weight of the horse, by changing the position of parts of the body, brings the center of gravity towards the rear, it is more favorable for the backward movement.

When the center of gravity is forward, the fore legs control the movement of the mass, and the hind legs merely propel. When the center of gravity moves backward, the hind legs become more and more masters of the control of the movement of the mass, and their action then is from the ground up as well as from rear to front as before. In other words, the movements gain in height.

_Position of a Horse for the Forward Movement._—

1. When a horse wants to move forward, he naturally puts himself in the most favorable position; consequently he throws his weight forward to his shoulders, and, to do this, stretches out his head and neck.

2. To obtain the forward movement and the accelerations in gait then, the rider must let the horse extend and lower his head and neck; similarly he must raise them to obtain the slower gaits.

3. _A horse must always be ready to carry himself forward._ This is the most important rule in equitation. The tendency to move forward is called “impulsion.” Without impulsion we can have no influence over the direction. (_De Saint-Phalle._)

The horse must go into the bridle. Nearly every vice and resistance offered by a horse is preceded and made possible by the animal getting behind the bit; that is, he refuses to face the bit, or take the pressure of the bit, so that the rider’s hand can find nothing by which he can enforce his demands. (_Anderson._)

_Lateral Equilibrium._—This relates to the balance of a horse when the center of gravity is moved sideways. It is a case where the horse is made to load one shoulder or one haunch or all one side more than the other. It is used for changes of direction, parallel displacements, etc. The horse being in motion, if we force him to carry the weight of his forehand to one side, the entire forehand tends to be displaced to the same side. This displacement of the horse is obligatory if that of the center of gravity is sufficiently accentuated.

THE AIDS.

_What Are the Aids?_—The aids are the different means employed by the rider to convey his desires or intentions to the horse. (_Notes d’Equitation._)

THE LEGS.

_The Stirrups._—The stirrups should be so adjusted that the tread of the stirrup is level with the top of the heel when the rider is mounted and seated properly. When the stirrups are too long, as with the “fork seat,” the rider is unable to use his legs with strength and accuracy. With the stirrups too short the rider’s knees are too high, the seat is forced too far back and he is unable to sit down in the saddle; hence is less secure.

_Position of the Foot in the Stirrup._—At least one-third of the foot should be inserted in the stirrup; the heel should be slightly lower than the toe and the ball of the foot should rest upon the tread. (_Notes d’Equitation._)

The following are the uses to which the legs are put:

1. To produce the forward movement.

2. To range the haunches.

3. To bring the hind legs forward under the body.

_The Equal Action of Both Legs._—The most important duty of the legs is to act together for the purpose of giving or sustaining impulsion. This action should command the forward movement and its acceleration. To obtain this result, the legs can act by simple pressure of the knees or by pressure of the knees and calves. The pressure of only the knees is sufficient with delicate horses, but with others the pressure of the calves has to be added to that of the knees. The more energetic the pressure and the farther behind the girths it is, the greater the result produced. Usually the action of the leg is strong enough if it is placed against or a little in rear of the girth. If the action there is not sufficient, it may be carried back a little—never, however, to reach an angle of 45 degrees. The perfection to aim at is to have the leg move almost imperceptibly and vary its effects only by different shades of pressure; but with a horse that does not respond sufficiently to the demands, it becomes necessary to carry the leg back a little by bending the knee and keeping the heels low. The inclination of the leg to an angle of 45 degrees is the very maximum, which it is unscientific and useless to pass or even to reach, so that if the action of the leg is not efficacious under these conditions, we must turn to more energetic methods. But little trouble is experienced in teaching riders not to carry the legs too far back. The reverse is usually the case.

The above method failing, the next to try is consecutive thumpings with the calf of the leg, not very pronounced, but repeated until the result sought is obtained. At the instant the legs should cease their action, and should repeat it only when the need again is felt.

If this means is not sufficient, there is nothing to do but come to blows with the legs. These are executed by slightly carrying to one side the calf and ramming it against the horse with a violence proportionate to the result to be obtained. This movement ought to be done without raising the knees or sticking them out, the lower part of the legs being independent of the rest of the body in order that the seat and the hand be not deranged. This manner of getting action upon the horse ought not to be continued for a long time, even if its effect is not sufficient or lasting. Like every violent movement, this one ought to be exceptional, and rather than repeat it frequently, it is better to have recourse to short, energetic action of the spurs.

It is very necessary to avoid the frequent fault of using the leg after sufficient action has been gotten out of the horse or of continuing the demands when they are already obeyed. Then the impulsion of the horse is augmented in a manner prejudicial to the desired result, which necessitates the action of the hand to oppose the augmented impulsion falsely ordered by the legs.

_Unequal Action of the Legs._—When one leg is used more than the other, the haunches are displaced to the opposite side. The horse is then said “to range his haunches.” This effect is often useful in preventing the horse from slipping out sideways, in straightening him, and in making him change directions, etc.; but its greatest utility lies in permitting the rider to range the haunches and traverse the horse, which movements are essential to the main instruction in the mental and physical suppling of the horse.

The rules for the use of both legs apply equally well to the use of one leg, as regards place of contact and manner of graduating the intensity of action. (_“Equal Action of Both Legs and Unequal Action of the Leg,” from “Elementary Equitation,” by De Saint-Phalle._)

_To Bring the Hind Legs Forward Under the Horse._—Due to contraction of the muscles produced by the tickling sensation of the leg or spur upon the side, the horse mechanically brings his hind legs up under the body when so forced. This bringing up of the hind legs places the control of the movement of the mass in their power, because the center of gravity is nearer their base. Hence the leg movements become more elevated, the speed less fast, and the horse more handy and more easily controlled.

_Mutual Support by the Legs._—If one leg acts to range the haunches, the other should receive the mass to limit and control the movement. Both legs should be at all times close enough to the horse to act accurately, quickly, and without abruptness in order to assist each other.

_When a Horse Is “Behind the Legs.”_—When a horse refuses to move forward after the equal action of both legs is produced, he is said to be “behind the bit” and likewise “behind the legs.” A horse in this state is beyond the control of the rider, and every means should be exerted to force the horse with the legs up into the bit again.

_The Spur._—The spur should not be used until the seat is secure. If the pressure of the calves of the legs is sufficient to command impulsion, the spur should not be resorted to.

Resistances are provoked if the spur remains in the side continuously, and the animal becomes disobedient and on the defensive. Continued contact should be replaced by repeated contacts of short duration of an intensity to fit the case.

The length of the spur varies with the length of the stirrup-leathers, the length of the leg of the rider, and the form of the horse. A general rule is that the spur should be of such a length as to be easily used without danger of unintentional usage during sudden displacements.

THE REINS.

In the training of the horse the reins should be held in two hands. Single reins should be held as prescribed in the Cavalry Drill Regulations.

The following important rule should always be observed: _The pressure of the rider’s legs, or of his heels, must always precede any action of the hand_; in other words, the bit does not go back to the horse, but the horse goes forward against the bit.

It has been shown that by the action of the legs impulsion is produced in the horse, which causes a stretching of the neck to the front in order to begin or accelerate the forward movement. If as the head and neck stretch out the forward movement of the bit in the mouth is arrested by the hand, the bit is brought into stronger contact with the bars of the mouth, which produces its action. The action of the reins is thus produced after the action of the legs has produced its effect.

KINDS OF REINS. (_De Saint-Phalle._)

_Open Rein._—This rein is used in turning the horse. The right rein, for example, is said to be open if the right hand is carried to the right and front. Reins are so used for the particular effect they have upon the horse’s head. The need of them is felt especially in the training of green horses, but also with a horse that refuses to turn and carries his head in the opposite direction from that in which the rider desires him to go. When the right rein is open, the horse’s head will be drawn to the right and he will be assisted in moving in that direction.

_Direct Rein._—This rein acts parallel to the axis of the horse without intermediary action upon the neck. Reins used in this manner bring a little of the weight to the side on which they act, which with an obedient horse suffices to make him turn to that side. It is also used in turning the horse’s head at the poll so that the horse may look in the direction toward which he is going.

_Rein of Support._—The right rein, for example, is called the right rein of support when the right hand moves from right to left and the right rein hence bears against the neck. It has different effects according to the point towards which its action is directed. For example, if the hand is moved towards the front of or over the left shoulder, the effect is to bring the weight of the forehand towards that shoulder; or if the direction of the right rein of support passes in rear of the withers, the effect is felt by the increased weight on the left haunch; or if the action of the rein in this direction is sufficiently strong, it can either lead to the displacement of the haunches towards the left by setting the left shoulder, or displace simultaneously the shoulders and the haunches towards the left by pushing the horse entirely to that side.

The effect of the rein of support is extremely powerful in preventing the horse from slipping out on its side, or in restraining the horse from turning in the opposite direction.

_Rein of Opposition._—If the rider opens the right rein slightly and pulls either in the direction of the right haunch or the direction of the left haunch, the rein is called the right rein of opposition. He is then said to set the shoulders in opposition to the haunches. (_Notes d’Equitation._)

_General Rule._—A general rule is, that at all times contact is kept with the mouth by the reins through the medium of the bit. _The reins never flop._ There are two exceptions to this rule allowable: during complete abandon, as at the walk; and momentarily, during flexions, as will be shown later.

_The Seat._—The seat is an aid when it changes the support of the body from one buttock to the other to assist the horse in lateral movements. This movement helps to carry the center of gravity of the horse to the side toward which the movement is desired. Similarly an increase in the weight placed on one stirrup is an aid.

The upper part of the body by leaning forward or back likewise assists the horse in moving the center of gravity forward and back.