Training to the Slow Gaits 173 



to ride and one in which the horse keeps time to 

 his steps by the nodding of his head, hence the term 

 ^^nodder" which is sometimes apphed to horses of 

 this class. 



Fox trot. — With the horse at the walk, take him 

 on the snaffle rein and urge him into a slow ''dog 

 trot" or ''shog." As with the running walk, do 

 not let him forge ahead into a trot or rack or slow 

 down to a walk, but when he strikes the desired gait 

 hold him steady. After going a short distance slow 

 down and then repeat. Next practice urging the 

 horse, alternately, from the walk to the running 

 walk and from the walk to the fox trot. Repeat un- 

 til the horse will obey the signals without the slight- 

 est confusion. This may take months, but it is essen- 

 tial to a well-trained saddle horse. 



The slow pace. — This gait is taught in much the 

 same manner as the fox trot, some horses taking 

 naturally to one, some to the other, depending on 

 whether they have a natural inclination to trot or 

 pace. Take the horse mildly on the curb-rein and 

 urge him just out of the walk by pressure on the 

 legs and a slight side to side shuffle of the reins just 

 sufficient to work on the bit. When the horse 

 takes the gait hold him steady. Slow down to a 

 walk and then repeat. Later alternate with the 

 running walk and fox trot. 



The rack. — In teaching this gait, choose a road 

 with rather hard, smooth surface. The rack is a rather 



