Page:Notes on equitation and horse training.djvu/41

 counteract this tendency, which promptly leads up to resistance, it is urged that the horse be pushed straight ahead at a trot after each one of these pivotings.

In spite of these drawbacks, the abouts on the forehand can be employed advantageously in certain cases. In fact, they should be used with horses that are too hotheaded, with those that bulge on the hand, and with those that are slow to learn. * * *

(The different series of exercises in the Dutilh method of executing the abouts on the forehand are omitted as a refinement for which there is rarely sufficient time.—The Board.)

Suppling of the haunches continued.—If the preceding lessons have produced mobility of the croup by lateral effects, and if the horse yields readily to the action of the leg and rein on the same side while marching on an arc, it is time to exact the same obedience while marching on a straight line or following the track, that is to say, to start the horse on the movement called "haunches in." This movement, which continues the suppling of the croup, has the further advantage of confirming obedience to the legs.

Haunches in.—Marching on the right hand, indicate opposition with the left rein and close, at the same time, the left leg. If the horse yields and swings the croup inside of the track by even one step, while still gaining ground to the front, straighten him again at once with the right rein and leg; repeat this swinging of the haunches several times, but in the first lessons, do not insist. Gradually lengthen the time before straightening. Haunches in, is a suppling exercise for the hind quarters; its object is to make the spinal column pliable and to accustom the hind legs to stepping across each other. It also makes the haunches quick to obey and constitutes an excellent preparation for two-track work and for the gallop lead.