The Halt from the Gallop. 109 



be given only when the severer form of the 

 aid seems to be required. The spur should 

 never be used with force, or in punishment. 



It is highly important that horses which are 

 to be employed in the cavalry, should be taught 

 to come to an immediate halt, even from high 

 rates of speed. This can be effected without 

 danger of injury to the animal, if the proper 

 precautions are observed. The theory is, that 

 when the hind legs are carried in under the 

 mass, in any stride, the forehand is raised and 

 its forces are carried back, while the weights 

 and the returned momentum are received by 

 the hind legs when they are in the best position 

 for taking the shock. 



It is a very simple matter to teach the horse 

 to come to a finished halt in any gallop stride, 

 and all of the lessons in collecting are pre- 

 paratory for it; but it should not be practised 

 until the animal has been thoroughly trained in 

 everything recommended in the preceding chap- 

 ter, as the rider requires the fullest obedience. 



The rider should first practise the horse in 

 coming to a halt from the walk (the horse 

 being well collected) by pressing in both heels, 

 leaning back in the saddle, and raising the 



