TROTTING. 



for ordinary riding, will, almost to a certainty, fail to 

 obey such a faint and indirect indication, if at all 

 excited — for instance, by the music of the hounds in the 

 hunting-field — from the simple reason that he is not 

 afraid, like the well-trained charger, to go boldly up to 

 his bit. By saying this, I trust I shall not offend any 

 of my cavalry readers, for such is not my intention. As 

 an old Field Gunner I know how admirably military 

 equitation is taught in the mounted branches of our 

 Service, so I hope I shall hurt no one's feelings, if I say 

 that a horse would be useless in the ranks, if he were 

 to go up to his bit in the manner desirable in the 

 thoroughbred hunter or chaser. 



The rider should, as a rule, and as I have elsewhere 

 advised, always keep both hands on the reins, for their 

 combined aid may, at any time, be needed, especially 

 when crossing a country. 



To start from the halt. — As the horse has a longer 

 rein when standing, than when walking, or going at any 

 other faster pace, the rider should draw up the reins and 

 close the legs, so as to send the horse up to his bridle. 

 He may make him go on by touching him with his 

 heels, or by speaking to him. 



To trot. — To make the horse trot, the rider should 



D 2 



