HOW TO TRAIN A HORSE. 219 



to render supple every portion of the body and limbs. He must be 

 taught to go with head well-up and haunches well under him, to describe 

 short circles and the figure eight, to turn, using the hind feet as a pivot, 

 and also with the fore feet as a pivot ; and he should know how to wheel 

 suddenly without danger of unseating his rider. This latter is accom- 

 plished by a turn of the hind feet, the fore feet being in the air, and 

 just after the impulse is partially given for the forward movement. 



A saddle-horse should also be taught to change the leading foot, while 

 in motion ; and under whatever gait. The idea will be caught from the 

 manner in which a person changes the leading foot in catching the step 

 of another person. The horse's head is to be turned somewhat out of 

 line by pressure on the bridle-rein, and also l)y pressure of the opposite 

 foot of the rider. This will throw the head and croup out of the natural 

 line of progression somewhat, as is done at starting, and then by a pecu- 

 liar movement of the limbs their motion is changed. Thus, if the horse is 

 leading with the right fore-leg, turn the head to the right, and, with the 

 heel turn the croup to the left, and vice versa. Once learned, it is never 

 forgotten. 



XrX. The Different Gkiits. 



The natural gaits of the horse are walking, trotting and galloping. 

 Walking is jierformed in 1-2-3-4 time, and in regular cadence. The 

 ordhiary trot and the jog trot are l)ut modifications of the walk. 



Galloping is performed in 1,2-3,4 time, and the faster the stride, the 

 more nearly simultaneously are the fore feet and hind feet brought down, 

 so that when the horse is running at speed, the movement is apparently 

 in 1-2 time. Then the animal is extended to the utmost, Avith head and 

 tail straight out. The gait is truly a succession of leaps, and soon 

 exhausts the animal. 



The slower the gallop, the less should the animal be extended, and the 

 more should the head be raised and the haunches thrown under the body. 

 Thus when an animal acquires the distressing, but fashionable, promen- 

 ade canter, if he is handsome and has other corresponding accomplish- 

 ments, he is almost priceless. The promenade canter is taught by rein- 

 ing the horse in to get his head well up, and then restraining him to the 

 pace required. Thus the slower he goes, the more upright he holds him- 

 self. To teach this, the spur must be used, but with discretion. 



The canter then is a slow gallop. The hand-gallop is faster and is an 

 easy gait for the horse, since he goes at half speed and in a natural man- 

 ner. The running gait is not distressing until the violent exertion begins 

 to tell on the wind and bottom. 



