RIDING AND TRAINING. 135 



bearers are then all properly placed to support the 

 weight, and the half-stride, in which the horse is 

 false when the fore-legs begin the change of lead, 

 is avoided. Certainly, where the changes are 

 repeated at short intervals, as in the step-by- 

 step changes, or where a new direction is at once 

 taken, the change of lead should be begun by the 

 hind-legs. 



The step-by-step changes are exceedingly difficult 

 for the horse and the rider, the direct rein and the 

 opposite spur acting at the moment the forehand 

 comes down at each stride. 



The traverse at the gallop is demanded in the 

 same manner as at the trot, the horse leading with 

 the side to which it goes. When the horse is 

 traversing in one direction, and it is desired to 

 traverse back upon the same lines, the animal will 

 be collected to the poise, and in the momentary 

 pause the forehand will be carried over so that the 

 horse will be placed across the path in the proper 

 position to pass to the other hand, the lead of the 

 fore-legs being changed as the forehand is carried 

 over, the lead of the hind-legs having been brought 

 right by the change of position of the horse's body 

 as it pivoted upon the croup, so that when the 

 horse is turned the gallop is true for the new 

 direction. 



