THE TROT. 



197 



be allowed to take the initiative, which he would do by 

 breaking into a canter. The trot should be slow at 

 first, until the rider is secure in her seat, when it may 

 be increased gradually to its fullest limit. The faster 

 a horse trots, the stronger bearing should we have on 

 the reins, but when we find the pace degenerating into 



Fig. 96. Rising at the trotj with stirrup too long. 



a rocking movement, the animal should be steadied 

 and collected, because he is exceeding the limit of his 

 speed, and is probably trotting with his fore and 

 cantering with his hind legs, as we may frequently see 

 with horses which are being overdriven in harness. 

 After practice has been acquired in trotting in a for- 

 ward direction, and the rider is able to sit with ease 

 and grace, she should trot in a circle to the right, 



