flexion as in direct flexion, because the latter is a preparation for the former. This faulty flexion, which is adopted by those who have followed him, is made at the withers instead of at the poll. Here, again, as in direct flexion, we find the exciting cause of the lowering of the neck, which changes a useful exercise into an injurious one. In it the head is low, the bend of the neck is at the withers instead of at the poll, and the head of the horse is in profile instead of facing one.

Fig. 34. — Incorrect lateral flexion.

A comparison of Fig. 34 (wrong flexion) with Fig. 33 (correct flexion) shows us at a glance the advantages of the lateral flexion which I have described, and the faults of the flexion which is commonly practised. To complete this criticism, I need only repeat all what I have said about the wrong method of direct flexion and its faults.

We need not be surprised that flexions have been blamed for softening the neck ; that is to say, for rendering it movable, independently of the remainder of the body, which