154 MODERN HORSEMANSHIP. 



from the croup, the hand meeting and turning these 

 into action. Except to demand some bend or turn, 

 or to correct some rigidity, the reins of the two 

 sides should be held in equal lengths, the custom 

 of lightening the acting side having a tendency to 

 destroy the equilibrium and to produce a forward 

 action like the Spanish trot. 



The horse being in a brisk but slow united trot, 

 the rider will make a closer collection, and apply 

 increased pressures with each heel as the horse is 

 about to extend the fore-leg opposite, in order that 

 its action may be sustained, and to insure the syn- 

 chronous action of the diagonally disposed hind-leg. 

 That is, the left heel of the rider hastens the action 

 of the left hind-leg, and sustains the action of the 

 right fore-leg (so that these legs move together), 

 and demands the necessary impulses from the planted 

 legs ; the rider's right heel hastens the action of the 

 rig'ht hind-leo; and sustains the action of the left 

 fore-leg, and demands the impulses from the planted 

 legs. The aids should demand a close union and 

 balance between the forces, and the impulses should 

 be met by reins of equal tensions. 



When the horse makes a few strides in perfect 

 unison between the diagonally disposed pairs of 

 legs, with a slight pause between the strides, the 

 suppleness and lightness having been maintained, 



