Manual of Equitation and Horse Training 66 



First lessons at the gallop. — If special tracks, sanded or 

 turfed paths are not available, all work at the gallop, for 

 colts, must be given on the soft footing of the riding hall. 



With horses from the South (thoroughbreds and Anglo- 

 Arabs — Translator) who gallop naturally, a simple closing 

 of the legs suffices to break the equilibrium and causes the 

 horse to take the gait sought. 



It is not the same with horses from the Northwest, 

 often cold-blooded or descended from a race of trotters. 

 Taking the gallop by extending the trot is here painful, and 

 should be strictly forbidden as a cause of disorder and 

 accident. It is, on the contrary, in starting from the slow 

 trot on the circle, a turn, at the end of a movement by the 

 flank, for example, that one may influence the horse to fall 

 into a gallop with the desired lead. In any case the aids to 

 employ are the action of the outside rein (bearing rein of 

 opposition) and the action of both legs. These actions, 

 while holding back the play of the outside shoulder, push 

 the mass of the horse toward the opposite side, provoke a 

 breaking of the balance in the direction of the movement 

 and oblige the horse to take the gallop. A few clucks of 

 the tongue will assist the first efforts. The riders help to 

 maintain the gait by swaying with the rythm of the gallop, 

 continuing the action of the legs, and gently accompanying 

 the play of the neck by the hand. 



At the end of a few lessons, the gallop departs become 

 more and more calm. 



With young colts it is not necessary that they should be 

 numerous. It is the time spent at the gallop and not the 

 departs which count with them. Outside, as in the riding 

 hall, the instructor gives this lesson to only a few horses 

 at a time; he regulates the number and the duration of 

 these gallops by the temperament and character and 

 breeding of the horses. Those not galloping walkabout 

 individually, are given the mounting lesson, etc. 



Preliminary conditioning. — Just as soon as the colts are 

 accustomed to the man's weight and have a sufficient idea 

 of the aids to insure their being guided without fear of 

 accident, the out-of-door work should commence. 



Fresh air, the use of gaits according to the nature of 

 the ground, their regularity, their graduation in length and 

 speed, the periods of rest and relaxation intermingled 

 with them are the elements at the disposal of the instruc- 



