Page:Notes on equitation and horse training.djvu/46

 XI.

Two track work.—Two track work consists in making the fore legs cross each other and the hind legs cross each other, gaining ground to the front or without gaining ground to the front; the horse is set (placed) to the flank toward which he is marching.

(1) On the track—Haunches in.—When both the forehand and the haunches have been sufficiently suppled, the movement of "Haunches in" should be changed into "Haunches in on two tracks." That is to say, that as the horse gradually becomes more obedient to the leg, the lateral effect should gradually make way for the diagonal effect. In other words, when the horse yields readily to the left leg, for instance, it is useless to continue the left rein in opposition, and we accordingly attain the full and regular movement in which the forehand is set in the direction of march.

Haunches out.—After the horse has mastered the preceding movement, he should be taught haunches out on two tracks." The principles are the same; but this latter lesson is much to be preferred, because the horse executes it without being guided by the wall or by routine; he merely obeys the reins and legs.

In this movement the horse must not be allowed to hang back or to get behind the bit. To keep him well into the reins, the two track lesson must frequently be terminated by moving out either on a half turn in reverse or on an oblique to change hands.