TRAINING 59 



moves the forehand round to the left with his hands 

 quietly, step by step, the left hand leading and the right 

 Iiand drawing the rein baekwards to the left behind the 

 withers, so plaeing the horse's weight on the near 

 liind leg, whieh should also support the rider's weight, 

 carried baek to that side. 



When at a walk, the rider commenees the turn to 

 the left at the moment the off fore foot comes to the 

 ground and vice versa. 



If the horse moves his quarters the action of the 

 hand ceases, until the legs have again gained control. 

 The reins should be sufheiently stretched to prevent 

 any forward movement, and the rider presses on the 

 stirru23 of the side to whieh he is turning and looks to 

 that side ; the inside leg closed in forward against the 

 girths can also assist the hand to move the shoulders 

 round, and prevent the horse from moving backwards. 

 Another good exercise consists in turning a horse 

 closely round the trunk of a tree to both hands. 



As a horse gets suppled by these exercises, the rider 

 will find it gradually becomes easier for the hand to 

 bring him gently back on to his hocks, in the trot and 

 canter, by the light direct action of the reins, whilst 

 intermittent pressure from the legs, applied against the 

 girths, makes him brilliant in his action ; the lower 

 jaw yields to the slightest touch of the bit, and the 

 horse shows pride and animation and yet perfect 

 obedience to his rider's wishes. 



To perfect the horse's balance and strengthen his 

 muscles we can teach him the " Passage,"' a pace in 

 which each step is characterised by a complete and well- 

 marked halt on the diagonal which is on the ground, 

 and in whieh there is a vigorous spring from each pair 

 of diagonals, which should also be poised when in the 



