1 6 ROAD, PARK, AND SCHOOL 



and regular, and will avoid all violence in the ap- 

 plication of the aids. His aim should be to see 

 with what light touches upon the reins he can 

 control the horse. The more perfectly ' the union ' 

 between the forehand and the croup is maintained 

 by the combined action of the hand and heels, 

 the lighter, easier, and more graceful will be the 

 pace. 



In the trot, the horse should be ridden in circles 

 and in figures of eight, by the same application of 

 the aids as in the walk. Before a change of direc- 

 tion is made, the horse should be collected between 

 the heels and hands, but without retarding or ac- 

 celerating the pace. 



To bring the horse to a halt from the trot, 

 the rider will first collect the forces ; then, by a 

 continued pressure of the heels, followed by an in- 

 ward tension upon the reins, he will bring the horse 

 to a walk ; by the same means it should then be 

 brought to a stop, when the hands will release the 

 tension upon the reins, and the legs be withdrawn 

 from the sides. 



During the lessons in the walk and in the trot, 

 the rider should endeavour to obtain a seat that is 

 quite independent of any support from the reins, 

 and until he has accomplished this he should not 

 make use of the double bridle. 



