70 NOTES ON EQUITATION 



readily understood that gallop leads, alternated at short in- 

 tervals, will rapidly perfect the young horse's training and, 

 moreover, that this is the best method of paving the way 

 for the lesson of change of lead. 



Change of Lead. Change of lead is nothing more than 

 exacting the gallop lead when the horse is at the gallop. It 

 is the most difficult of leads and must not be attempted un- 

 til the horse is thoroughly confirmed in the gallop lead from 

 the trot and walk. If the lesson of change of lead is given 

 too soon or if the rider is too exacting at first, the horse will 

 slow up and become uncertain in gait. He will learn the 

 trick of holding back and especially of galloping disunited; 

 hence, all the benefit of preceding lessons will be lost. 



To bring the horse up to the change of lead, gradually 

 decrease the intervals between the alternate leads exacted 

 from the slow trot. The set of the horse must be changed 

 before he returns to the trot. Thus, for instance, if the 

 horse is galloping right, set him with the left diagonal effect 

 (right leg and left supporting rein). The change of set 

 causes the horse to balance himself and brings him down to 

 the trot (where he feels steadier) but, if the lower aids con- 

 tinue to force the gait the horse will take the gallop with 

 the left lead. 



This is the analysis of the change of lead. Little by 

 little the length of time of the intermediate trot is diminish- 

 ed until the change of lead in the air is obtained. 



The lesson of change of lead can be given on the track 

 of the riding hall or on a circle. At first it is advantageous 

 to lead off with the outside foot and then attempt the change 

 of lead to the inside foot. This plan is especially applic- 

 able to work on a circle. 



In all this work, the thing to be avoided is a desire to 

 to progress too rapidly. If the horse resists, you must not 

 be bull-headed; you must begin again and take up the 

 analytical parts of the movement, going back to the simple 

 gallop leads. By insisting too strongly you teach the horse 

 to resist the reins and legs and destroy what lightness he 



