THE TROT. 209 



curved, and the shoulders square to the front of 

 the horse, without lifting them up, or rounding 

 them in rising. 



The leading foot of the horse is that fore- 

 foot or leg with which he commences his ad- 

 vance in the gait ; it will always be carried 

 somewhat beyond its fellow, while, at the same 

 time, that side of the animal's body which cor- 

 responds with the leading foot will be a little 

 more advanced toward this foot, though almost 

 imperceptibly so. Every rider should be taught 

 to know with which foot her horse leads. 



When a horse trots evenly and quickly, and 

 with rather a short step, the rise in the saddle 

 will be barely perceptible; but when he trots 

 slowly and with a long step, the rise will have 

 to be higher, in order that the rider may keep 

 time with the slowness and length of his step. 

 In this gait a tall woman will be very apt to 

 prefer a long step to a short one. 



In making the rise, the rider must never as- 

 sist herself by pulling upon the reins, which 

 should be held firm and low to give support to 

 the horse alone, not allowing them to slip in the 

 least from between the thumb and forefinger 

 that should hold them steady. 



The descent of the body to the saddle must 

 be effected as gently as possible. The right 



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