DISTRIBUTION OF WEIGHT. 321 



CARRYING THE HIND-QUARTERS, IN THE CANTER OR GALLOP, 

 OUTSIDE THE LINE OF PROGRESSION, AND REFUSING TO 

 LEAD EXCEPT WITH ONE PARTICULAR FORE LEG. 



On page 222, I have discussed appropriate means for 

 correcting the tendency which some horses have of keeping 

 the body in a position more or less oblique to the direction 

 in which they are going, when cantering or galloping. 

 When a horse persistently chooses to lead with one par- 

 ticular fore leg, at these paces, we may neutralise this predi- 

 lection, supposing that the preference does not arise from 

 unsoundness or malformation, by practice at circling (with 

 the long reins and when mounted) to the opposite side. 

 For instance, to the right, if the near fore be the favoured 

 one, in which case we should also work him at turnings on 

 his forehand to the left and at passage to the right, until 

 he is equally handy with both fore legs. If the animal's 

 habit be to lead with the off fore, similar, though reversed, 

 movements should be executed. Making him canter 

 " falsely " (see page 271) with the less used fore leg will 

 be of service in " suppling him." 



PUTTING TOO MUCH WEIGHT ON THE FOREHAND WHEN 



MOUNTED. 



We may correct this fault by practice at reining back 

 with the long reins, and when mounted, by teaching the 

 horse to turn on the hind-quarters (see page 271), and 

 by collecting him (see page 221). With horses which put 

 too much weight on the forehand when landing over a 

 jump, we may use a bearing rein (see page 169), when 

 practising them with the long reins at leaping (see page 

 240). 



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