1 38 How to Change Lead. 



it plain to the intelligence of a horse that he has 

 done what you want, and is to do it again on sim- 

 ilar indications. It is, therefore, well for him not 

 to have to learn too many new lessons at once. 



XLI. 



To change lead in motion is harder for the 

 horse and rider both to learn, and there is no bet- 

 ter test of a well-trained horse than an immediate 

 and balanced change of lead on call. A canter is 

 a gait somewhat similar to the gallop, though the 

 feet move and come down in different progres- 

 sion. But at certain times one or more of the 

 four feet are successively sustaining the weight, 

 and there is an interval when the horse is unsup- 

 ported in the air, or has only one hind foot upon 

 the ground. It is this last period which the horse 

 chooses in which to change his lead. Now, sup- 

 pose you are cantering with Nelly's right shoulder 

 leading, and want her to change to the left. If 

 you press upon her right flank with your leg, 

 she will want to shift her croup to the left. This 

 will incline her naturally to turn her head to the 

 right, which inclination you must counteract with 

 as little motion as possible of the reins. Nelly 

 will thus find that she is cantering uncomfortably 

 to herself, and if you will keep along in this way 

 for a few strides, she will very likely shift to her 

 left lead, because the constraint of your leg and 



