THE HIGH SCHOOL 95 



The beauty of the Spanish trot consists in the 

 perfect elevation and extension of the fore legs. 



To bring the horse well back on to his hocks, and to 

 increase the action of the rein against the neck, without 

 any lateral movement of the body or hands, the bridoon 

 reins can be crossed over the neck, the right hand holding 

 the left rein, and drawing it lightly down towards the 

 thigh as the right leg is closed in, whilst the left hand 

 works with the right rein in the same way. There is 

 also a lateral aid of the curb rein held under the little 

 finger of each hand. 



As the diagonal aids are somewhat confusing to the 

 horse, the trainer can at times have recourse to lateral 

 aids, i.e., the rein and leg of the same side, the action of 

 the rein being low behind the withers and directed 

 toAvards the diagonal hind leg (diagonal effect). 



A horse can, in fact, be at first taught the Spanish 

 trot with the lateral aids and diagonal effect of the 

 hand (see Appendix IV. a), so as to check the horse and 

 assist the legs in developing the action ; and be gradu- 

 ally educated up to the diagonal aids, in which each 

 hand meets the impulse sent forward by the opposite 

 leg, and, wliilst checking it, stimulates the horse to use 

 the energy in raising and extending a fore leg, and places 

 the nose over the rising leg. 



A horse that can change his leg in the slow, highly 

 collected canter at every step, will soon pick up the 

 Spanish trot, as the aids are the same ; he should also 

 be frequently worked at the shoulder in to both sides, 

 and be cantered on small circles to the right and left. 



The Spanish trot can be started from the halt, the 

 ordinary trot, or the Spanish walk. 



To start the Spanish trot from the halt, the horse 

 should be animated by vibrations of the bit or delicate 



