EMPLOYMENT OF THE TRAINED HORSE 133 



To sum up, in the case of a trained horse, kec^o the 

 pace equal by means of a Hght hand and mo])ile fingers, 

 without ever allowing the horse to pull. 



In the case of a horse which fights against the bit, 

 one should have a light hand with always the same 

 steady tension on the reins, or make use of vibrations. 

 In the case of a horse heavy in front, one should close 

 the fingers strongly on the reins and make use of the 

 half-halt. 



In each of these cases the legs should be fixed but 

 passive. 



Finally, in the case of horses who are behind the 

 ])ridle, seek the cause of the want of impulsion, and 

 have recourse cither to the action of the aids, or to 

 some modification in the general treatment or in the 

 work. 



Change of direction. — The turn is merely the 

 consequence of a new objective that the rider proposes 

 to reach. The selection of direction should, therefore, 

 always precede the turn. 



In practice there are three ways of turning — 



Turning on a large bend. 



Turning on a small bend. 



Turning from a stationary position. 



1. The turning on a large bend is carried out whilst 

 moving forward, and on an arc of a circle sufficiently 

 great, consequently the rider has scope and time. It 

 is obtained either with the opened rein or with the 

 indirect rein. 



The opened rein indicates to the horse the new 

 direction : the two legs press him in this direction : 

 it is the most elementary of the turns whilst advancing. 

 It is also the one which young horses best under- 

 stand, and should, therefore, not only be used at the 



