SIDE STEPS AND TWO TRACKS. 139 



According as we quicken the pace at the work on "two 

 tracks," in order to pass from the school walk to the ordinary 

 trot, or even to the fast trot, it becomes more and more 

 difficult to employ the " aids " in an appropriate manner. 

 We should, in fact, hold the horse very straight in the hand, 

 because every effort to straighten the hind quarters, or to 

 support the forehand, diminishes the propulsion, which ought 

 to be extremely energetic. To obtain a maximum of impulse 

 at the quickest pace, we must keep the forehand and hind 

 quarters absolutely on their own respective tracks, and must 

 combine the energy of our legs, which give the impulse, with 

 the delicacy of the constant action of the diagonal effects,* 

 which enable us to keep the horse in position, without 

 diminishing the impulse in any way. 



This movement is perhaps the most inconvenient one, on 

 account of the extreme difficulty of correctly combining the 

 effects of the " aids " with great propulsion. Not the least diffi- 

 culty is to hold the horse always straight. The direction of the 

 impulse, even in work on two tracks, will always pass between 

 the two ears, if the head is well placed. 



The correct position during work on two tracks at a fast 

 trot, is very difficult to keep. In fact, the energy of the pace 

 increases the natural disposition of the rider to carry his body 

 to the side opposite to that to which he is going. Hence 

 the necessity of continual watchfulness on his part. 



The great difficulty as regards the horse, is to make him 

 quicken the trot without breaking into the canter. This is 

 the touchstone of impulse, and the proof that the animal 

 answers freely to the " aids." 



Work on two tracks, as I do it, in no way resembles the 



* The delicacy of the diagonal effect combines admirably with the energ)^ of 

 the legs, because it results from the preponderance of one "aid" over the other. 

 Besides, the true action of the "aids" is: legs energetic, heels delicate, and 

 hands light. 



