New Method of Horsemanship Part 8

Here, also, as for the ordinary _pirouettes_ upon three legs, it is by exercising the _piaffer_ and the flexion of one leg separately, that we will succeed in uniting the two movements in one. We will interrupt the _piaffer_ by arresting the contraction of three of the legs so as to leave it in one only. It is sufficient, then, in order to accustom the horse to this performance, to stop him while he is _piaffing_, by forcing him to contract one of his legs.

16. Change of feet every time at equal intervals, the horse remaining in the same place.

This movement is obtained by the same proceedings as are employed for changing feet every time while advancing; only it is much more complicated, since we must give an exact impulsion sufficiently strong to determine the movement of the legs without the body advancing. This movement consequently demands a great deal of tact on the rider's part, and cannot be practised except on a perfectly broken horse, but broken as I understand it.

Such is the vocabulary of the new figures of the _manege_ that I have created, and so often executed before the public. As you see, this performance, which appeared so extraordinary that people would not believe it belonged to equestrianism, becomes very simple and comprehensible as soon as you have studied the principles of my method.

There is not one of these movements in which is not discovered the application of the precepts I have developed in this book.

But, I repeat, if I have enriched equitation with a new and interesting work, I do not pretend to have attained the farthest limits of the art; and one may come after me, who, if he will study my system and practise it with intelligence, will be able to pa.s.s me on the course, and add something yet to the results I have obtained.

CHAPTER X.

SUCCINCT EXPOSITION OF THE METHOD BY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

_Question._ What do you understand by force?

_Answer._ The motive power which results from muscular contraction.

_Q._ What do you understand by _instinctive_ forces?

_A._ Those which come from the horse--that is to say, of which he himself determines the employment.

_Q._ What do you understand by _transmitted_ forces?

_A._ Those which emanate from the rider, and are immediately appreciated by the horse.

_Q._ What do you understand by resistances?

_A._ The force which the horse presents, and with which he seeks to establish a struggle to his advantage.

_Q._ Ought we first to set to work to annul the forces the horse presents for resistance, before demanding any other movements of him?

_A._ Without doubt, as then the force of the rider, which should displace the weight of the ma.s.s, finding itself absorbed by an equivalent resistance, every movement becomes impossible.

_Q._ By what means can we combat the resistances?

_A._ By the methodical and separate suppling of the jaw, the neck, the haunches, and the loins.

_Q._ What is the use of the flexions of the jaw?

_A._ As it is upon the lower jaw that the effects of the rider's hand are first felt, these will be null or incomplete if the jaw is contracted or closed against the upper one. Besides, as in this case the displacing of the horse's body is only obtained with difficulty, the movements resulting therefrom will also be painful.

_Q._ Is it enough that the horse _champ his bit_ for the flexion of his jaw to leave nothing more to wish for?

_A._ No, it is also necessary that the horse _let go of the bit_--that is to say, that he should separate (at our will) his jaws as much as possible.

_Q._ Can all horses have this mobility of jaw?

_A._ All without exception, if we follow the gradation pointed out, and if the rider does not allow himself to be deceived by the flexion of the neck. Useful as this is, it would be insufficient without the play of the jaw.

_Q._ In the direct flexion of the jaw, ought we to give a tension to the curb-reins and those of the snaffle at the same time?

_A._ No, we must make the snaffle precede (the hand being placed as indicated in Plate No. III.), until the head and neck are lowered; afterwards the pressure of the bit, in time with the snaffle, will promptly make the jaws open.

_Q._ Ought we often to repeat this exercise?

_A._ It should be continued until the jaws separate by a light pressure of the bit or snaffle.

_Q._ Why is the stiffness of the neck so powerful an obstacle to the education of the horse?

_A._ Because it absorbs to its profit the force which the rider seeks in vain to transmit throughout the whole ma.s.s.

_Q._ Can the haunches be suppled separately?

_A._ Certainly they can; and this exercise is comprised in what is called stationary exercise.

_Q._ What is its useful object?

_A._ To prevent the bad effects resulting from the instinctive forces of the horse, and to make him appreciate the forces transmitted by the rider without opposing them.

_Q._ Can the horse execute a movement without a shifting of weight?

_A._ It is impossible. We must first seek to make the horse take a position which causes such a variation in his equilibrium that the movement may be a natural consequence of it.

_Q._ What do you understand by position?

_A._ An arrangement of the head, neck and body, previously disposed according to the movements of the horse.

_Q._ In what consists the _ramener_?

_A._ In the perpendicular position of the head, and the lightness that accompanies it.

_Q._ What is the distribution of the forces and weight in the _ramener_?

_A._ The forces and weight are equally distributed through all the ma.s.s.

_Q._ How do we address the intelligence of the horse?

_A._ By the position, because it is that which makes the horse know the rider's intentions.

_Q._ Why is it necessary that in the backward movements of the horse, the legs of the rider precede the hand?

_A._ Because we must displace the points of support before placing upon them the ma.s.s that they must sustain.

_Q._ Is it the rider that determines his horse?