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CHAPTER VIII. 

 HIGH-SCHOOL RIDING. 



The Spanish walk — Reversed pirouette on three legs — Reversed and ordinary 

 pirouettes with the feet crossed — Reining back without reins — Rocking the 

 forehand — Rocking the haunches — Spanish trot— Shoulder-in at the canter — 

 Pirouettes at the canter — Changes of leg at each stride — Changes of leg 

 without gaining ground — Piaffers and passages — ^Differences between the 

 passage and Spanish trot — Serpentine at the Trot — Canter on three legs — 

 Passage to the rear — ^See-saw piaffer — Canter without gaining ground 

 and canter to the rear — New school movements — School horse for ladies. 



The exercises which we are going to consider are the sequel 

 and perfected product of those which have been described. 

 These high-school exercises, as, for instance, the Spanish trot, 

 are more difficult, less used, and are artificial ; but the others, 

 like the canter, are natural. 



I have often heard it said that high-school work ruins horses 

 and prematurely makes them unsound. 



It is constantly said : " How is it possible for an animal to 

 do such severe work without knocking himself to pieces ? " 

 The answer is very simple : Professional gymnasts also go 

 through extremely severe exertion. Are they in bad condi- 

 tion ? Are their arms, legs and shoulders spoiled ? On the 

 contrary, they are in a state of grand condition which distin- 

 guishes them from everyone else. Their muscles stand out 

 and are as hard as steel, and their general health is perfect. 

 No doubt, if they began their work abruptly — I speak of 



