12 ROAD, PARK, AND SCHOOL 



If the horse throws up its head, and is awkward 

 in movement, the rider may be assured that he is 

 holding the reins too high. If the horse lowers the 

 head, and leans upon the hand, the reins should be 

 elevated, and the legs closed against the sides of 

 the horse, so that the hind-legs will be carried 

 under the mass and relieve the forehand. 



The tension upon both reins should be even, and 

 only strong enough to keep the rider in communica- 

 tion with the mouth of the horse. 



To put the horse into a walk, the rider will close 

 in his legs and take a light feeling of both reins, 

 then he will press the calves of his legs against the 

 sides of the horse and at the same time yield the 

 hands sufficiently to let the horse advance at a walk. 

 When the horse moves, the reins will be drawn until 

 the mouth can be felt, and the rider will keep his 

 legs near the sides, to prevent, by their pressure, 

 when necessary, the animal coming to a halt. 



Before a change of direction is made, the horse 

 must be prepared for it by the rider collecting the 

 forces of the animal between his hand and heels ; 

 the latter first acting to bring up the hind-quarters, 

 the hand meeting the impulse given by the heels, so 

 that, while the rate of speed is not affected, the 

 extremities of the horse are ready to work in 

 unison. These applications of the aids are to be 



