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.