58 Manual of Equitation and Horse Training 



missioned officers of experience and proven skill. Besides, 

 if these lessons are well given, they are reduced to a few, 

 of short duration. 



The instructor holds the longe in his right hand, 18 

 inches from the horse's head; the other extremity folded 

 in eights, is held in the left hand. After petting the horse, 

 the instructor moves forward, pulling lightly on the longe, 

 at the same time clucking to the horse ; he moves thus, 

 accompained by the horse, around the riding hall or inclo- 

 sure, tracing straight lines and gradually sharpened curves. 

 He stops frequently, saying "Whoa," pats the horse, then 

 passes to the right side, changes the longe in his hands, 

 and recommences the same work to the right hand. 



If the horse moves forward at the cluck of the tongue, 

 stops at command, and moves willingly without pulling, 

 the instructor stops moving on straight lines, lets the longe 

 slide a little, and puts the horse on a small circle of 2 yards 

 radius; he himself moves on a concentric circle, a little in 

 rear of the horse's shoulders, so as to keep him moving. 

 He will often stop the horse, go to him and pat him, and 

 then move him forward again. 



In the same manner he is worked on the circle to the 

 other hand. If the horse hesitates to move forward, the 

 instructor slips to the rear and toward the croup, while 

 yeilding the hand which holds the longe. If need be, an 

 assistant may help him. The important thing is not to be 

 abrupt with horse, and not, by frightening him, to run the 

 risk of making him pull. 



When the horse moves easily to both hands, camly and 

 at the walk, on the small circle, the rest of the training is 

 easy. 



The instructor makes the horse take the trot, and then 

 the gallop; to quicken the gait he uses the voice or shows 

 the whip; at the beginning he always accompanies the 

 horse in his circular movement, keeping in rear level with 

 the haunches; if he wishes to stop the horse he moves to- 

 ward the shoulders; little by little he reduces his own circle 

 until he stands still. 



The length of the radius varies according to the exten- 

 sion of the gait. A slow trot on a small circle furnishes an 

 excellent gymnastic for the colt; on the other hand, the 

 extended trot, and the gallop on a cramped circle, would 

 be dangerous for horses whose joints are fragile. 



