380 RIDING 



get him down into the saddle and keep him there. The lesson; 

 should still last about an hour. 



LESSON XI 



The turns at a trot should be continued, the pupil being 

 now and again halted while crossing the house to see that he 

 is going straight. Horses soon get cunning at this sort of 

 work, and cut their ground .off by inclining to the hand to 

 which they turn, but they must not be allowed to do so. It is 

 good practice after halting when crossing the house to rein back 

 a few steps before going forward, care being taken that the 

 horse reins back on a straight line and that the hands yield- 

 after every step. The turn should not be made at the same 

 place every time, nor every time he goes round the house. If 

 it were so the horse would get accustomed to it, anticipate the 

 rider and make the turn himself, which would not do the pupil 

 much good. Particular attention must be paid to the seat and 

 position, as the rider may, while having his thoughts fixed on 

 turning his horse properly, lose his position if not looked to. 

 He should lean his body a little inwards as he turns, but other- 

 wise no alteration of seat should be allowed. 



LESSON XII 



The circles as well as the turns may now be tried at a trot, 

 halting now and again in the circle as in the turn, correcting, 

 anything that may be wrong and explaining how to avoid it. 

 It will generally be found that horses which are accustomed 

 to this sort of work are inclined to leave the middle of the 

 school too soon. This should not be allowed, the inward 

 leg being closed strongly to prevent it. The same steady, 

 even pace should be kept in the circle as in going round the 

 school. It is not to be supposed that every pupil will be 

 far enough advanced at the twelfth lesson to do this, but a 

 young active fellow, with plenty of confidence and anxious to- 

 learn to ride, should on an easy horse be able to do so. It 



