"All active rein aids, i.e. rein aids that are directed backwards, whether they serve to flex the poll or to elevate the neck, may only be applied when the hind leg on the same side is in the air and swinging forward. They have to end as soon as it touches down again. From then on the rein sustains the contact elastically until the hind leg passes behind the vertical. At that moment, the rein has to yield elastically to the stretching of the neck - without abandoning the contact of the bit with the lower jaw. The more the horse gains in poll flexion, elevation, and correct shaping of the neck, the less the rein has to yield, until it remains completely quiet and the fully balanced horse releases the bit."
(1903; translation: T. Ritter)
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Last Update: January 14, 2007