OBJECTS OF LATERAL FLEXIONS.

is of great importance. Equilibrium, lightness and mobility depend on the flexions and on getting the horse in hand, and until he has learned all this, it would be folly to ask for more. It is therefore of the highest importance to make the lateral flexion complete, so as to obtain extreme obedience from the horse.

Fig. 37. — Incorrect lateral flexion.

But when we practise lateral flexion in later work (changes of direction, work on two tracks, etc.), we ought to content ourselves with a very slight lateral flexion of the neck,^[1] which, like the head, should always be well placed. We can understand that a too strongly accentuated flexion checks the effect of propulsion by throwing all the weight on the outward shoulder.