RIDING AND TRAINING. 113 



halt from the trot will be produced by bringing the 

 horse to the union, then to the walk, and then, as 

 before directed, to a stop. But, after the horse 

 learns to obey the aids with promptitude, it will 

 be brought to an instantaneous halt by means of 

 the poise, when the aids will not demand a move- 

 ment from the horse, and the animal will come to 

 a stop, with its forces so disposed that another 

 movement can be procured without delay, but not 

 in the instantaneous manner that was possible from 

 the poise. 



The reader must bear in mind that in all paces 

 the union must be demanded before a change of 

 direction is made or an alteration in the pace 

 demanded, ana that the union and the poise should 

 precede the finished halt. 



At the walk, and at the trot, the horse should 

 be made to pass in circles, figures of eight, 

 and serpentines, the forehand keeping truly to 

 the lines, the croup following the forehand. The 

 trainer should be satisfied with moderate pro- 

 gress, and the horse must be perfected in each 

 stage. 



With a little care the horse may now be taught 

 to back with ease and lightness. The rider must 

 avoid everything resembling violence, and the move- 

 ment should be free from struggles and resistances. 



H 



