224 MOUNTED BREAKING. 



Before beginning work at the canter, I think it well to 

 repeat the long rein practice on foot for teaching the horse 

 to strike off from the walk or trot into the canter with the 

 proper leg leading (see page 188). When he does this 

 readily, we may mount him and take him at the canter to 

 the right and also to the left on the same circle which we 

 used with the long reins. The drawn-back outward leg, 

 aided if necessary by the spur, will replace the outward 

 long rein for preventing the hind-quarters from being 

 carried outwards when circling or turning. As the presence 

 of a rider in the saddle increases the proportion of weight 

 borne by the fore legs, we should lean our body a little 

 back. To preserve the bend of the head and neck in the 

 direction in which the animal is going, we should depress 

 the inward hand and carry it a little inwards ; the outward 

 hand (see page 212) being somewhat raised, and also carried 

 a little inwards. As an indication, and as a necessary 

 adjustment, we should lean our body a little inwards. An 

 additional indication may be supplied by the touch, on the 

 shoulder, of the inward foot, which may be kept in an 

 advanced position for this purpose. We may teach the 

 horse to lead off, from the walk or trot, into the canter with 

 whichever leg we wish, by acting according to the principles 

 by which we obtained this object with the long reins. If, 

 for instance, we are walking or trotting the horse on the 

 right circle, and wish him consequently to strike off with 

 the off fore, we should turn him a little to the left, so as to 

 bring his right shoulder in front of his left one ; lean our 

 body a little to the right ; strongly apply the drawn-back 

 left leg ; and bring the horse back again into the track of 

 the circle by turning him to the right with the reins, while 

 at the same time raising the hands a little and leaning the 

 body slightly to the rear so as to lighten the forehand. The 

 reversed aids would be used on the left circle for making 



