THE PIVOT ACT 157 



his weight rests on the left foot. The left foot rests on 

 the ground motionless, while the horse turns in a circle 

 with his hindquarters, using the left front foot as a pivot. 



To get the horse to perform this act, place the right 

 front leg around the left and, by stroking the right leg, 

 quiet the horse so that he will keep it there. 



Do not let him take it down until commanded to 

 do so. Keep practising, until he will place the right 

 leg in position at command and keep it there until 

 commanded to take it down. Do not ask him to keep 

 it in position more than two or three minutes. 



When he will place the leg in position and keep it 

 there, have him take a step or two to the right with his 

 hindquarters. Let him turn, until he begins to take 

 his right leg from position. Anticipate his action by 

 " Whoa ! " Each time you practise him he will turn a 

 little farther than in the previous exercise, until he will 

 turn until told to stop. 



In the same manner the horse can be taught to use 

 his right foot as a pivot and turn his hindquarters to 

 his left. 



When teaching to pivot both to the right and to the 

 left, the first should not be drilled into the horse too 

 perfectly before beginning with the other foot, or it will 

 be hard to change his position. 



