THE HIGH SCHOOL. I 57 



my work, as I am satisfied that its practice injuri- 

 ously affects the equihbrium of the horse ; but the 

 movement is so generally admired and taught that I 

 feel forced to retain it. I have trained several of 

 my horses in the Spanish trot, and Alidor performed 

 it with great vigour and precision, as the photograph 

 shows, but latterly I have not employed the move- 

 ment. 



Some trainers teach the Spanish step by using the 

 spur as in the passage, and obtain the extended 

 action of the forehand by meeting the impulse and 

 liofhteninor the side of the actino; fore-lesf with the 

 direct rein ; but the usual manner is to give the 

 preliminary lessons on foot, and it is certainly easier 

 and more expeditious than the former, although 

 perhaps not so artistic. 



The trainer will walk alongside of the horse, and 

 tap it with the whip under the fore-arm as each fore- 

 leg is being raised and extended, the left hand 

 conducting and restraining the horse ; or he will, in 

 front of the horse, walk backwards and tap the horse 

 lightly with the whip upon the point of the shoulder 

 as each leg" is beincr raised and extended. In the 

 first described mode the trainer is not so apt to be 

 struck by the fore-leg of the horse, and I have tried 

 both modes with equal success. In a short time the 

 horse will strike out boldly with the fore-leg upon 



