2. As the movements are fatiguing, they should at no time be continued more than a few seconds.

3. Horses that are stiff on one particular side should be suppled by exercises to that side.

4. The preceding rule applies to all parts of the horse except the neck. If the neck is stiff on the right side, supple it by exercises, as “Shoulder In” (see below), on the left hand. (Capt. Short.)

5. The movements are all begun at a walk and, when proficient in them, are executed at a slow trot.

6. When the movements are executed on a circle, where the fore quarters are on one circumference and the hind quarters either on a larger or a smaller circumference, the effect, besides being one of suppling, is as follows: When the haunches are on a smaller circumference the horse tends toward collection, his hind quarters tend to come up under the body, and it is a good movement for a horse that forges ahead; when the hind quarters are on a circle of greater circumference than the fore quarters the horse tends to be forced up into the bit and to stretch out behind, hence it is a useful movement with sluggish horses or horses that tend to get behind the bit.

7. When executing any of the following exercises, if the horse fails to respond to the action of both legs and does not go up into the bit, cease the exercise at once and move straight ahead at a trot or gallop and do not return to the exercise until the horse is again into the bit.

First Exercise in Suppling the Haunches.—This lesson consists in abouts on the forehand while marching. For example, marching on the right hand, leave the track on a diagonal (oblique) and return to it by a half turn to the left exacted by a very pronounced action of the left leg and left rein. This strongly marked lateral effect carries the horse’s haunches to the right; that is to say, the horse while still gaining ground yields to the effect of the leg (and left rein), and thus describes a half turn. The same movement is executed while marching on the left hand and the horse eventually swings the haunches easily about the forehand, without halting, without striking the fetlocks, and without dancing. (Notes d’Equitation.)

The commands for this exercise are: