158 Training the Saddle Horse 



taken up separately and taught the horse until he 

 will obey without the aid of the voice, rein or whip. 

 It is important that the saddle horse be taught to 

 guide to the right and left when you apply pressure 

 with the knees and incline the body in the desired 

 direction. This is accomplished most efficiently 

 by guiding on the neck. To do this, first cross the 

 snaffle reins under the lower jaw ; now as you pull 

 on the left snaffle ring, slight pressure is brought to 

 bear on the right side of the neck, which induces the 

 animal to guide to the left; simultaneously clamp his 

 body with your knees and incline your body to the 

 left. Repeat until the horse will guide to the left 

 when you clamp the knees and incline to the left. 

 Next teach the animal to guide to the right by revers- 

 ing the process. When thoroughly familiar with the 

 method, teach him to guide to the right and left in 

 rapid succession as you incline either to the right or 

 left. 



GAITS OF THE SADDLE HORSE DESCRIBED 



Before attempting to teach the various gaits, we 

 should have a clear conception of each and know 

 exactly what movements the horse must make in 

 performing the same. The gaits of the saddle horse 

 are much confused in the popular mind because a 

 few are designated by several terms. There are 

 three natural gaits, — the walk, trot, and gallop, — 

 and several artificial ones, being more or less varia- 



