94 Manual of Equitation and Horse Training 



better able to use his strength, the time at this trot may- 

 be prolonged without requiring it— in training at least— 

 during more than a hundred yards. A free extended walk 

 with loose rein should always follow the cadenced trot. 



This gait alternated with shoulder-in makes the horse 

 bold and light. 



Balance. — In the extensions, collections, and changes 

 of gaits which have just been discussed, there was always 

 an underlying obligation for the rider not to inclose the 

 horse between the legs and hand. The rule still exists that 

 by exact action of hand and legs his impulsion must be 

 carefully preserved and he must be submissive. But ac- 

 cording as the training is perfected, these actions tend to 

 approach each other; sometimes they seem to confound 

 each other. The horse, thus balanced between hand and 

 legs, moves with high strides in a sort of equilibrium, which 

 is nothing else than the "rassembler" while marching. 



The rassembler in marching has for its object the 

 shortening of the animal's base of support; the horse then 

 works on short bases, which accentuate his mobility but 

 necessarily reduce his speed. 



As soon as it is wished to return to an extended gait 

 it is necessary to abandon the rassembler and allow the 

 impulsion to pass, at the same time the neck stretches out, 

 the gait extends, and the horse works again on a long base. 



To oblige the horse to work on short or long bases 

 according to circumstances; to accustom him to pass from 

 the most collected work to the most hardy, outdoor equi- 

 tation; in a word, to put the horse in balance, is the object 

 of the changes of gait, the increase and decrease of speed, 

 of which we have just spoken. 



Observation on the gait. — One may draw from the mech- 

 anism of the walk, trot, and gallop, some observations 

 which are very useful in training. 



The rider must know how to take a certain gait, to 

 maintain, or to change that gait. In the walk and trot, the 

 lateral bipeds move in parallel planes; in the gallop, on 

 the contrary, the horse tends to travel with one haunch 

 slightly to the side. This remark is necessary, and it 

 suffices to show the rider that in the walk and trot the 

 horse should be held absolutely straight, while in the gallop 

 he should yield to one haunch very slightly. 



