136 ROAD, PARK, AND SCHOOL 



If the horse be in the gallop on a direct line, the 

 croup following the forehand, and the rider wishes 

 to make a demi-volte to the right, he will arrest the 

 forward movement by effecting the poise, carry the 

 forehand to the right far enough to put the horse 

 in the proper position across the lines he intends to 

 take, and, pressing in the left heel, continue the 

 gallop thus momentarily interrupted, on two paths, 

 the croup upon the circumference of a circle of 

 smaller diameter than that upon which the forehand 

 passes. (Fig. 24.) As the demi-voltes decrease 

 in size, the hind-legs of the horse travel over less 

 space, and when the inside hind- leg becomes a 

 turning pivot the movement is a demi-pirouette. 

 The demi-pirouette to the right is perfectly per- 

 formed when the centre of gravity is carried back so 

 far that the forehand rises from the ground, and, the 

 rider turning his body to the right as he carries the 

 bridle hand over in that direction, the horse wheels 

 upon the right hind-leg and brings the fore-feet to 

 the ground after it has made an ' about face.' A 

 play of the left rein and a pressure of the right heel 

 should then induce the horse to resume the gallop 

 with the left side leading. Of course the pirouette 

 can be demanded from the gallop only after the 

 poise has been effected, and to the side that has 

 been leading in the gallop. 



