DIAGONAL EQUITATION.
EXERCISES WITH BODY STRAIGHT.
_General Rules for Diagonal Equitation_:
1. Perfection is gained when the body of the horse from the poll back is
in a straight line.
2. The horse’s head is always turned slightly at the poll to enable him
to see in the direction he is going.
3. The reins set or place the forehand.
4. The legs govern the hindhand.
5. The green horse is never passaged directly to the right or left. The
direction of motion should not be more than 45 degrees from the direction
of the axis of the horse.
_Work on Two Tracks._—This movement consists in displacing the horse
parallel to himself in a direction oblique to that of his axis, the front
and hind legs describing four parallel tracks. The exterior members
cross over the interior ones.
The following are the aids in order to move a horse on two tracks to the
right:
1. Both legs, if sufficient momentum is not already obtained, should send
the horse up into the bit to receive the indications of the reins.
2. The right direct rein makes the horse look to the side toward which
he should march, and by throwing the weight slightly to the right begins
the displacement of the center of gravity towards the right. The left
rein of support acts at the same time as the preceding, to insure the
lateral displacement of the forehand to the right by further displacing
the center of gravity.
3. The left leg, at this moment, becomes preponderant in order to direct
the haunches to the right, while the right leg acts if necessary to limit
the displacement of the haunches, and to oblige the horse to maintain his
gait and to gain ground to the front as well as to the side.
4. The seat is displaced towards the right to aid the horse’s movement to
that side. (_De Saint-Phalle._)
The following are exercises on two tracks:
1. _On Two Tracks, Haunches In._—A two-track movement along the track,
with the head to the wall, in which the haunches move on an inside track,
the horse being in the position described above for the work on two
tracks and being governed by similar aids.
2. _On Two Tracks, Haunches Out._—Same as above, except the croup is to
the wall and the fore quarters move on an inside track, the hind quarters
on the track.
3. _On Two Tracks on the Diagonal._—A movement in which a horse moves
across the hall on the diagonal on two tracks.
4. _On Two Tracks on a Circle._—Described by its name. The haunches being
on a smaller or larger circle than the fore quarters. The same principles
apply in each case as described for work on two tracks.
COMMANDS.
_For First Exercise._—1. On two tracks. 2. Haunches in. 3. March.
_For Second Exercise._—1. On two tracks. 2. Haunches out. 3. March.
_For Third Exercise._—1. On two tracks. 2. Right oblique. 3. March.
_For Fourth Exercise._—1. On two tracks. 2. Haunches in (or out). 3.
March. (_Foot-note to Saumur Notes._)
_About on the Forehand at a Halt._—To execute this movement from left to
right the aids are as follows:
1. Carry the weight of the mass over the shoulders by the equal action of
both legs.
2. Just as the horse is about to move out, close the fingers on the reins
and prevent further advance.
3. Use the right rein of support to bring the weight upon the left
shoulder.
4. Use the left direct rein to turn the horse’s head to the left at the
poll.
5. Use the left leg to move the haunches to the right.
6. The right leg remains ready to maintain the advanced position of the
center of gravity and likewise to limit the movement of the haunches to
that side.
7. The seat should be carried to the right to facilitate the displacement
of the haunches to that side.
_About on the Haunches._—This movement is more difficult than the about
on the forehand and should be undertaken only after the work on two
tracks is well understood.
The movement is first taught by moving the horse on two tracks on a small
circle; for example, to the right, with haunches in.
Gradually decrease the diameter of the circle as the horse becomes
proficient. As the circle becomes smaller change the direction of the
rein so that the direction of the pull is toward the right haunch to
weight the latter down. Likewise increase the pressure of the left leg
until it is sufficient to prevent little by little any movement on the
part of the haunches. The circle then is finally diminished so that the
movement is that of a circle on the part of the forehand about the right
hind leg as a pivot. If the movement should be about the left hind leg,
or outside leg, as a pivot, it becomes a retrograde movement, which is
liable to put the horse behind the bit.
_The Gallop._—Heretofore the gallop has been undertaken merely as a means
of exercise to strengthen and stretch out the horse and to teach him a
little in balancing himself by the use of his legs. No attention was paid
at first to the leads; later a little lateral equitation was used to
partially insure the correct lead.
A horse is leading correctly when the right laterals (right front and
right hind) are in advance of the left laterals, when turning to the
right. This is called “leading right.” A horse is galloping disunited
when he is galloping one way in front and another way in rear.
On small circles or sudden turns of direction a horse is liable to fall
if not leading correctly.
_The Right Lead._—To require a horse to lead to the right, the aids are:
1. Weight of the body to the left, weight in left stirrup in order to
weight down the left haunch.
2. Use of the left leg to cause the haunches to be displaced to the right
consequently requiring the right lateral to pass the left.
3. Use the right leg to join its action to that of the left to give the
necessary impulsion and to receive the haunches and prevent their being
moved too far to the right.
The horse being driven by the legs up into the bit, is received by the
reins in the following manner:
4. Right rein of support exerted in a direction toward the left shoulder
to weight the latter, for it must be slowed down; at the same time this
movement frees the right shoulder and allows it to extend itself. The
horse is made to slightly turn the head to the right at the poll in order
that he may see in the direction in which he is going.[1]
5. Left direct rein corroborates the action of the right and keeps the
neck straight. (_De Saint-Phalle._)
6. If the gallop is taken from the trot while posting, rising with the
right diagonal assists the right lead. Rising from the left diagonal
assists the left lead.
When perfection is attained, the horse does not perceptibly swing his
haunches to the right or left.
[1] _Note._—For paragraphs 4 and 5 the following paragraphs,
showing a method of using the reins, may be substituted.
This method is taught by some of the best authorities in
our service. It certainly can be reasoned out as well as
that mentioned above, it is more easy to put in practice and
produces results in a scientific manner.
“1. Use the left direct rein to weight the left shoulder.
“2. Exert sufficient pressure on the right rein to keep the
head from being turned to the left, so that the horse may
see where he is going, and at the same time raise the right
hand slightly to assist in lightening the weight on the right
shoulder, thereby assisting to free it.”