64 ANGLO-FRENCH HORSEMANSHIP 



the direct reins and constitutes what is generally called 

 " sawing," which, if properly done, merely pulls the 

 head to the side of the foreleg which is coming forward, 

 and so shortens the stride without in any w^ay hurting 

 the horse's mouth. 



A horse can also be taught to walk well by slackening 

 the curb reins entirely, so as to allow him to stretch out 

 his neck, feeling the flank with the legs, touching say 

 the off quarter with the whip every time the off fore 

 foot comes to the ground, and checking him with the 

 bridoon if he breaks into a trot ; or by making him 

 walk slowly and collectedly for a short time. 



A horse that is inclined to stumble can be taught the 

 Spanish Walk, and be made to do a few steps every time 

 he digs a toe into the ground. 



(b) To develop the trot, say, on the left diagonals, 

 the right rein, which is the balancing rein, should be 

 held rather shorter and firmer than the left rein, the 

 thumb pinching the rein, whilst the rest of the hand is 

 open, and, bending slightly forward with the upper 

 part of the body, while carrying the right hip slightly 

 across the saddle, the rider stimulates the action of the 

 near hind and off fore legs by drawing back the left 

 heel and closing in the right leg against the girths ; 

 receiving the impulse with the left rein held low, and 

 an upward feeling on the right rein, to stimulate the 

 horse to carry his neck high and to throw his legs well 

 out. 



Ladies will find greater comfort in riding if they draw 

 back the right hip as well as the shoulder when trotting, 

 or cantering with the right leg leading. 



In order to get the mouth and action quite even, 

 it is necessary to vary the diagonals on which one trots, 

 b}^ bumping twice and then rising and reversing the 



