EARLY EDUCATION OF THE HOESE. 8l 



the method by which this is to be taught, and few can 

 be found who hold the same opinion as to the best man- 

 ner of making the trained horse change in the gallop. 

 We have never had any faith in the method as usually 

 accepted, even by the highest authority, of teaching the 

 horse to gallop by a false method, to afterwards substi- 

 tute a better one in demanding his performance of 

 that pace. 



If the forehand of the horse is lightened by bringing 

 back its forces, that side will be the lighter from which 

 we demand the most ; and to make the horse lead with 

 the one side or the other is simply to make the hand act 

 more upon the side from which we desire the highest 

 action. If, then, we wish to gallop with the right side 

 of the horse giving the extended strides, we should make 

 play with the bit upon that side of his forehand, and 

 bring his croup around with the pressure of the left 

 leg. The horse will then lead off as desired, with his 

 head in the proper position, and there will be nothing to 

 correct. 



Although the direct rein has been, before this time, 

 used to teach the gallop, it is for the purpose of pulling 

 the shoulders in so that the horse, his croup being 

 brought around by the opposite spur, will not be able to 

 take the extended step with the outside leg. Although 

 this accomplishes the object, it gives cramped and un- 

 graceful action. We believe that the theory advanced 

 gives the best results, for it is the method that Baucher 

 and other great authorities use after the horse has been 

 taught by some ruder means. 



To make a horse lead with a certain side, theref ore^ the 



