THE TROT. 37 



hands," as it is termed, leads, in the trot as in the canter, 

 equally well with either leg, but, in both paces, a very 

 large majority have a favourite leading leg. By glanc- 

 ing over the right shoulder the time for the rise may be 

 taken. Do not be disheartened by repeated failures to 

 "catch on;" persevere, and suddenly you will hit it off. 

 When the least fatigued, pull up into a walk, and when 

 rested have another try. At the risk of repetition, I agam 

 impress on you the necessity of keeping the toe jof the left 

 foot pointed to the front, the foot itself back, and with the 

 heel depressed. Your descent into the saddle should be 

 such that any one you may be riding straight at, shall see a 

 part of your right shoulder and hip as they rise and fall, his 

 line of vision being directed along the off-side of the horse's 

 neck. When these two portions of your body are so visible 

 then the weight is in its proper place, and there is no fear of 

 the saddle being dragged over the horse's near shoulder. For 

 a few strides there is no objection to your taking a light hold 

 of the pommel with the right hand, in order to time the rise, 

 but the moment the " cross-jolt" ceases, and you find your- 

 self moving in unison with the horse, the hold must be re- 

 laxed. Some difficulty will be found in remaining long 

 enough out of the saddle at each rise to avoid descending 

 too soon, and thus receive a double cross-jolt ; but this will 

 be overcome after a few attempts. Keep the hands well 

 down and the elbows in. 



Varying the speed in the trot will be found excellent 

 practice for the hands; the faster a horse goes, generally 

 speaking, the easier he goes. He must be kept going " well 

 within himself," that is he must not be urged to trot at a 

 greater speed than he can compass with true and equal 

 action. Some very fast trotters, " daisy cutters," go with so 

 little upward jerk that it is almost impossible to rise on 



