# Notes on equitation and horse training/Question 9

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## IX.

Second leg lesson or first suppling of the haunches.—We have already given the horse the first leg lesson—the lesson in moving straight to the front—by drilling him to yield to the action of the legs. We will now teach him to yield to the effect of one leg, carrying the haunches to the right or left; this second lesson, which necessitates the crossing of the hind legs and gives mobility to the hind quarters, is a most useful suppling for the horse.
The best way to give a horse this second lesson is to use half turns on the forehand in reverse; half turns on the forehand are nothing more nor less than abouts on the forehand made 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
* ↑ a In the expressions "demivoltes renversés" and "demitours sur les épaules faits en marchant," an apparent inconsistency is encountered. The "demi-tour sur les ^paules" is the "about on the forehand" of our drill regulations. If, however, instead of being held stationary, the forehand is allowed to gain ground (en marchant), we will have the movement contemplated in the lesson, but it will necessarily be on two tracks, the semicircle made by the hind feet having a greater radius than that made by the fore feet. Now, the "volte" is nothing more than our individual "circle," and is a one-track movement. For clearness, then, it is evident that a word is needed to accurately describe this "about made while marching," and the board has decided to use the expression "half-turn." The "turn" of the riding hall will be a movement of 360° and it may be urged that the command will clash with the 90° turn of the drill regulations; but, as one is for an exercise by the individual trooper and the other is for a change of front by a body of men in line, it is thought that no confusion will result.-The Board.
* ↑ & The commands for this exercise are: (1) Right oblique, (2) March, and (1) On forehand, (2) Half turn in reverse, (3) March. "Half turn in reverse" could, in this case, be expressed "Left half turn," but "in reverse" (renversé) has particular significance and the terms should be retained on that account.
​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 left 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. (Without either increase or decrease of cadence.)—The Board.
We have specified half turns reversed, but abouts, full turns, and later, serpentines can also be used.
About on the forehand.—The second lesson may also be given by means of the abouts on the forehand; but it would be wise not to insist upon this movement and to use it only when absolutely necessary.
The great drawback to abouts on the forehand is the frequent halting of a young horse and the holding of him in place by the action of the legs. This lesson used repeatedly at the beginning of training will eventually check any movement straight to the front that has been already obtained.
Major Dutilh, although he explains in detail the system of abouts on the forehand, himself points out the danger of using them, for, following his explanation, he says:
Caution riders that abouts on the forehand have the disadvantage of rendering horses unresponsive to the action of the legs. In order to
* ↑ It must be remembered that at this stage of his instruction the colt has learned little and would be unable to execute a left half turn in the open. In the hall, however, he understands the opening of the right rein that guides him off the track, to which he has grown accustomed, into the right oblique, and he understands the opening of the reverse rein to guide him back. The prompt and forceful use of the left leg then swings his haunches about and instead of being confused he moves out willingly in the opposite direction, because he is again on his familiar track next to the wall.—The Board. Obliquing to the right, if the command be simply: (1) On forehand, (2) Half turn, (3) March, the movement is continued to the right in the turn.
​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.
​Difference between haunches in and two-track work.—The movement of swinging the haunches in must not be confused with two-track work. The latter is a regular movement to be taken up after the completion of the suppling of the forehand as well as that of the haunches; in this movement the horse, placed or held correctly in a position from head to croup, is oblique to his path rather than curved to it. The former, on the contrary, is merely an exercise with the object of making the haunches supple and easily controlled.
Dismounted work.—Before beginning mounted work on the haunches, it is sometimes useful to pave the way by dismounted work with the whip; such work may be advantageously combined with longeing. Work with the whip is directed especially at the hind quarters and should not be confused with the dismounted bending lessons which we will take up later in curb-bridle work.
There are two principal movements:
(1) To move the horse to the front with the whip.—The horse being on the track and on the left hand, seize the reins about 6 inches from the bit with the left hand, pull them forward and at the same time strike light taps with the whip behind the girth where the leg is usually applied.
If the horse moves forward, let him walk a few steps, make much of him, and then halt him.
If he stands still, gradually increase the force of the whip taps until he moves.
If the horse backs away, hold him tight with the hand on the reins and continue the use of the whip behind the girth until he moves forward; then caress him and halt him.
(2) To swing the haunches.—The trooper standing on the left of the horse seizes the reins with the left hand and applies light taps with the whip behind the girth until the horse moves the haunches from left to right.
​The left hand prevents the horse from getting away to the front and by opposing the forehand to the haunches, assists the action of the whip in moving the hind quarters.
In this movement the forehand should move and the fore legs should cross, but on an arc of very small radius.
Dismounted work should be considered as of only secondary importance. It will be of great benefit with some horses and practically useless with others. In any case, dismounted lessons should always be very brief.