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.