22 THE HORSE AS A RIDING MACHINE. 



When a horse turns, the arc of the more or less perfect 

 circle described by his inner leg (left leg, when the turn is 

 made to the left ; and right leg, when it is made to the right) 

 will be shorter than that described by his outer leg. Hence, 

 when a horse turns at the halt, walk, or trot, he will be con- 

 siderably aided by being able to bring his outer fore leg as far 

 forward as possible. When the head is brought round to 



Fig. 28. Turning Horse to the right on his fore hand. 



one side, the points of attachment of the muscle of the outer 

 side of the neck will be further apart than those of the muscle 

 on the inner side of the neck ; and consequently the muscle, 

 which has the harder work to do in turning at the halt, walk, 

 or trot, will be assisted in its task by the fact of the horse 

 having his head bent to the side to which the turn is being 

 made. Also, when the head is bent to one side, the fore leg 

 of that side will bear more weight than the fore leg of the 

 other side, and consequently it will act all the better as a 



