PARK RIDING. 41 



PASSAGING. 



The passage is the key which opens to us all 

 the justness of the art of riding, and in its con- 

 ception no less than its execution, exhibits the 

 highest skill in horsemanship. 



The action is performed either in walking, 

 trotting, or galloping, but perhaps the fittest of 

 these paces for displaying the beauty of the move- 

 ment is the gallop. Y^ou must commence by the 

 action raised before and lowered behind, the time 

 slower ; the forehand must be raised, the shoul- 

 ders out, croup in, that is, the neck bends a little. 

 The leg or whip is always to assist the hand in 

 putting the croup forward, while you stay the 

 shoulders. When both are right, let them pro- 

 ceed together, turn the body a little inward. If 

 you find your balance disturbed stretch down 

 your inward leg, by bracing the muscles strong, 

 and press the inner part close to the saddle. First 

 walk the horse the passage, keep both hands firm 



