Part 8 (1/2)

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?