46 SYSTEM FOR TRAINING CAVALRY HORSES. 



Always place your horse properly and have him 

 well balanced before yon strike him off. 



Teach him to strike off to the right, on the circle 

 first, then on the straight line. 



Then teach him the same to the left ; and after 

 that, try him at changing leg. 



A horse cantering on a straight line, light in hand 

 and well balanced, is made to change leg in the same 

 way that he is made to strike off to either hand from 

 a walk. Violent effects of force should be avoided, 

 which would bewilder the horse and destroy his light- 

 ness. " It must be remembered, that this lightness, 

 which should precede all changes of pace and direc- 

 tion, and make every movement easy, graceful and 

 inevitable, is the important condition to be sought 

 after before every thing else." 



If a horse is so far broken in, so far under control 

 of hand and leg, as to be unable to do any thing 

 unless you wish it, all his capabilities are at your 

 disposal ; you can throw the weight on each limb in 

 succession, and change leg at every stride. 



The great secret is therefore this ; '' take the weight 

 off the legs you wish the horse to lead with." This is 

 the only one of the many different ways laid down 

 which is founded on principle and common sense. Try 

 it yourself, go down on all fours, throw your weight on 

 the left hand and leg, then try to move forward, and 

 see whether it be not absolutely necessary to do so 

 with the right hand and leg. 



