CHAPTER VII.

SUPPLING EXERCISES WITH BODY BENT.

_Different Kinds of Equitation._—When, for example, the _right_ rein and _left_ leg are used to assist each other in moving the haunches, it is called lateral equitation. When the reins place the forehand and the legs alone control the hindhand, as, for example, if the _left_ rein and _right_ leg are used, it is called diagonal equitation.

LATERAL EQUITATION.

The following points should be considered during the exercises in lateral equitation:

1. One step taken correctly is at first all that should be expected or required.

2. As the movements are fatiguing, they should at no time be continued more than a few seconds.

3. Horses that are stiff on one particular side should be suppled by exercises to that side.

4. The preceding rule applies to all parts of the horse except the neck. If the neck is stiff on the right side, supple it by exercises, as “Shoulder In” (see below), on the left hand. (_Capt. Short._)

5. The movements are all begun at a walk and, when proficient in them, are executed at a slow trot.

6. When the movements are executed on a circle, where the fore quarters are on one circumference and the hind quarters either on a larger or a smaller circumference, the effect, besides being one of suppling, is as follows: When the haunches are on a smaller circumference the horse tends toward collection, his hind quarters tend to come up under the body, and it is a good movement for a horse that forges ahead; when the hind quarters are on a circle of greater circumference than the fore quarters the horse tends to be forced up into the bit and to stretch out behind, hence it is a useful movement with sluggish horses or horses that tend to get behind the bit.

7. When executing any of the following exercises, if the horse fails to respond to the action of both legs and does not go up into the bit, cease the exercise at once and move straight ahead at a trot or gallop and do not return to the exercise until the horse is again into the bit.

_First Exercise in Suppling the Haunches._—This lesson consists in abouts on the forehand while marching. For example, marching on the right hand, leave the track on a diagonal (oblique) and return to it by a half turn to the left exacted by a very pronounced action of the left leg and left rein. This strongly marked lateral effect carries the horse’s haunches to the right; that is to say, the horse while still gaining ground yields to the effect of the leg (and left rein), and thus describes a half turn. The same movement is executed while marching on the left hand and the horse eventually swings the haunches easily about the forehand, without halting, without striking the fetlocks, and without dancing. (_Notes d’Equitation._)

The commands for this exercise are:

1. Right oblique. 2. _March._ 1. On forehand. 2. Half turn in reverse. 3. _March._

“Half turn” and “reverse” could, in this case, be expressed “left half turn,” but “in reverse” has particular significance, and the terms should be retained on that account.

_Haunches In._—This movement is one to exact obedience to one leg while marching. It continues the suppling of the hind quarters and confirms the obedience to the leg. It should be undertaken only when the horse yields readily to the legs in previous exercises.

Marching on the right hand, use the left rein of opposition and the left leg. It is sufficient if the horse swings his haunches to the right so that the left hind foot steps on a line passing through the prints of the right fore foot. The left rein of opposition assists the action of the left leg. At first one step is sufficient to demand at a time. Repeat the movement several times, gradually demanding more steps in the correct position. Never demand the movement, at any one time, over a greater distance than the long side of the riding-hall. The following cautions should be carefully observed:

1. Never let the horse’s body make an angle of more than 45 degrees with the original direction. To prevent this, use the inside leg.

2. Never let the gait diminish. To prevent this, use both legs when necessary to demand impulsion.

3. Do not lean to the left when moving to the right. The weight of the body should be slightly more upon the right buttock when moving to the right.

4. Do not let the right rein be slack when moving to the right.

_Shoulder In._—This is a similar exercise to haunches in, but more difficult and more useful.

This movement supples both forehand and hindhand.

To execute the movement when marching on the right hand:

First use the right open rein and the left rein of support, the fore quarters are then moved off the track and the head turned to the right; the right leg is then used to push the mass from right to left and the left leg to receive the swinging of the haunches and to control the impulsion.

_Cautions to Be Observed_:

1. During the first lessons, after the fore quarters have been moved off the track, to facilitate the movement along the track, the outside rein may be slightly opened.

2. The reins prevent the lateral flexion of the neck at the shoulders by holding the head firmly between them.

3. The fore quarters are sufficiently removed from the track if the left fore foot and right hind travel along the same path parallel to the track.