RIDING AND TRAINING. 137 



The demi-volte and demi-pirouette are made to 

 the left in the same manner by the use of the cor- 

 responding aids. 



Note. In giving the first lessons in the changes of lead in the gallop, it will 

 often be found that the horse will change more readily if the fore-legs begin 

 the change, and for occasional changes on straight lines this mode may be 

 followed ; but there is greater certainty of the horse keeping true if the change 

 is begun by the hind -legs, and it is the only way in which the change can be 

 made in the canter where a fore-foot comes to the ground immediately after 

 the hind-leg that receives the weight without interrupting the cadence. 

 When the change is begun by the fore-legs, the rider brings the horse to the 

 poise: while the hind-quarters support the weight the direct rein demands the 

 change in the fore-legs, and when the advanced fore-leg takes the weight the 

 opposite spur demands the change in the hind -legs as soon as the latter are 

 free from the ground. That is, to change from leading with the right side to 

 leading with the left side, the left rein and the right spur will be employed. 

 When the change in the gallop is made with the hind-legs beginning the 

 change, the opposite spur demands the change in the hind-legs when they are 

 free from the ground in any stride, the advanced fore-leg having taken the 

 weight, and the direct rein demands the change in the fore-legs as soon as 

 they are free from the ground : the spur and rein being employed together, 

 as the fore-hand comes down. In the latter case, it will be seen, the change 

 is made without the false half-stride that characterises the first mode. 



I believe that I am the first to describe and explain the two methods by 

 which the horse changes the lead in the gallop. I think that no author has 

 ever mentioned the change beginning with the hind-legs, and I cannot say 

 that the movements of the horse's legs, in the other way of changing, have 

 been described before I attempted it in my work on The Gallop. 



