74 HORSEMANSHIP. 



trot. The great secret in striking off is to take the weight 

 off the leg you wish the horse to lead with. Should the 

 horse be at all awkward in this pace, the best plan is to 

 give him ten days' or a fortnight's instruction in the open-air 

 riding-school, suggested at page 59. In a state of freedom 

 a horse almost always leads, in his three natural paces — 

 the walk, the trot and the gallop — with the left leg, only 

 changing to the right to turn to that hand ; for this reason 

 it is advisable to give him his first few lessons working 

 entirely to the right. In cantering to the right increase 

 the pressure of the legs, touching him, if need be, with the 

 spur, restraining him with the reins, preferably the curb, 

 and at starting throw all the weight possible on the near 

 hind leg. The excess of pressure on the mouth should be 

 exerted by the left hand, that on the horse's side from the 

 rider's right leg. This excess of bearing on the near side 

 of the mouth is not to turn the horse to the left, but to 

 bring all the weight on the near side. Always place the 

 horse in position before asking him to strike off. In this 

 position his off-legs are at liberty, and the forward impulse, 

 communicated by the aids, compels him to use them. The 

 light, playful action of both hands raises his forehand, the 

 pressure of both legs makes him bring his haunches under 

 him, and the prick of the spur sends him forward. Care 

 must be taken that he does not bore on the bit, but that 

 it exerts a reining-in influence, otherwise the leg and spur 

 will only communicate a forward influence without the 

 essential bringing in of the haunches, when the effect on the 

 hind quarters is lost. In cantering to the right the off fore- 

 leg leads, followed by the off hind; in cantering to the 

 left the placing of the legs is reversed. Teach him to work 

 in a circle, to commence with, and then on the straight line. 

 Once perfect in working in these two directions, then teach 



