THE TROT. 207 



three lessons in the French trot, just enough to 

 enable her to understand the movement, after 

 which she may proceed to rise in the English 

 style. However, a knowledge of the cavalry 

 trot will be found useful, as a horse, when 

 reined in from a gallop or canter, will often 

 trot a short distance before stopping ; and if 

 the rider understands this trot, she will be able 

 to sit close to the saddle, and not appear awk- 

 ward by jolting helplessly about. 



Of all the styles of riding, there is none so 

 difficult to describe or to learn as the English 

 trot. We will make an effort, however, to ren- 

 der it comprehensible to the reader. Consider- 

 able study and practice will be required to learn 

 it perfectly, but when once learned it will indi- 

 cate the thoroughly accomplished horsewoman. 

 (Fig. 30.) 



To commence the English trot, the rider must 

 collect her horse, as for the walk, and then, as 

 he advances, keep a firm, even tension upon the 

 snaffle-reins, because, in this trot, the animal 

 will rely wholly upon his rider to support him 

 and hold him to the pace, without the " give 

 and take " movements of the hands required in 

 the other gaits. It is not meant by this that a 

 dead pull is to be made, but that the support 

 must be firm and steady, with a proper corre- 



