304 HIGH-SCHOOL RIDING. 



As the momentum is not entirely checked during this half- 

 halt, the horse who expects to raise his leg during the halt, 

 anticipates the halt, and almost always does a time of the 

 canter with his leg in the air, in which case we should halt 

 him, pat him on the neck, and stop the lesson. 



We can see that these two movements, which at first were 

 separate, are beginning to be formed into one ; but that is not 

 sufficient. 



When the horse does this work easily, and without stiffness, 

 we ought to demand the extension of the leg without a half- 

 halt, by simply taking care to decrease the speed, and to 

 raise the forehand. We should hasten slowly, and for a 

 long time should be content with two or three strides during 

 which the leg is completely extended, and above all things 

 sustained. 



If we wish to stimulate the horse to such an extent that he 

 will hold his leg in the air, we should, ourselves, display great 

 energy ; because, not only is the office of our left leg to make 

 the horse keep his off fore in the air, but it also, in combination 

 with the right leg, ought to keep him at the canter, by bringing 

 his hind legs under him. In other words, we maintain the 

 canter by a strong pressure of both legs, and at the same time 

 we make the animal hold his off fore in the air, by small and 

 repeated touches of the left spur. 



We ought to use the right leg as vigorously as the left, in 

 order to prevent the horse carrying his hind quarters to the 

 right. If he goes sideways, we should stop him and put him 

 straight, before recommencing the movement ; because, when 

 he places himself obliquely, he will be deficient in propulsion, 

 and in this position we shall be able to obtain only the exten- 

 sion of the leg or the canter ; but not both together. It is 

 therefore indispensable to keep the animal very straight, and 

 to give him a point of support on the right snaffle rein, in 

 order to facilitate the upholding of the right leg. 



