Hand and Heel, 37 



the reins until they take a feeling upon the mouth 

 of the horse. The rider's legs will then be closed 

 against the flanks, and the hand will make gentle 

 vibrations of the reins until the head of the horse 

 is sustained without support, and the mouth gives 

 elastic response to the hand. The rider will then 

 know by the movement of the muscles under him 

 that the impulses are ready, and if the hand gives 

 sufficient liberty, the horse will move off in a 

 walk, the rider's legs demanding impulse, and the 

 hand receiving and directing this impulse. In 

 the early lessons, the rider should not require too 

 close a collection in any pace, but the forehand 

 must not be allowed to get heavy, nor the hind 

 quarters be permitted to drag. A slightly in- 

 creased pressure of the rider's heels, enforced by 

 a whip-tap if necessary, will increase the impulse, 

 which will be so directed by the hand that the 

 horse shall quicken its action into the trot. The 

 speed should not be very great, but the movement 

 should be clean and strong, the best possible action 

 in which to cultivate the use of the aids and to 

 practice the union of the extremities. In this 

 strong but slow trot the rider should maintain a 

 regular rate of speed, demanding such collection 



