226 MOUNTED BREAKING. 



which would be at their point of contact, so that the horse 

 may not canter falsely during any portion of the figure 

 8. Under ordinary circumstances, the imperfectly-broken 

 horse would not change until he had gone falsely for about 

 a quarter of the new circle. This want of precision may 

 be disregarded, except in the " school " horse ; for to 

 obviate it, the animal would have to be taught to go in 

 such a collected manner, that in acquiring this style his 

 freedom of action might be injuriously affected. Having 

 made the horse fairly proficient at changing the leading leg 

 in the figure 8, we should try similar turns away from the 

 circle upon which we have been working, so as to prevent 

 him from becoming routin:. By keeping him attentive to 

 the change of aids as a signal for a change of lead, we 

 shall soon teach him to change, on feeling the change of 

 aids, when he is cantering on a straight line. Here, again, 

 we need not exact absolute precision as regards the moment 

 at which the change is made. To meet the requirements 

 of ignorant riders, of " bad " ground over which the horse 

 should be allowed to exercise his natural watchfulness 

 against danger, of high speed, and of other disarranging 

 circumstances which are to be met with, especially when 

 going over a " country," I think it well for the horse to be 

 taught to make, when necessary, the required change of lead 

 on his own accord, in the event of his rider failing to give him 

 the signal by a change of aids to do so. I need hardly point 

 out to the experienced horseman that the habit of readily 

 changing the leg at the canter or gallop when a turn is 

 being made to the side opposite to that of the leading fore 

 leg, is valuable in hunters, racehorses, chasers, hacks, 

 troopers, and every other kind of animal, except the high 

 school horse, which is supposed never to take the initiative 

 in any movement. As his work is confined to the manege 

 we need not consider him here. 



