146 ROAD, PARK, AND SCHOOL 



will press in the right heel and support the fore- 

 hand with the right rein. After the horse has made 

 two or three strides in the Spanish trot it should be 

 brought to a halt, and rewarded for its obedience. 



In the Spanish trot the horse should leave the 

 ground in a series of bold springs from each pair of 

 diagonal legs, striking out high and to its full extent 

 with the fore-leg that is to be next planted. The 

 action of the hind-legs should also be vigorous, and 

 the movement should be even and regular, the pause 

 at each stride well defined. By gradually increas- 

 ing the number of steps the horse will soon be 

 able to continue this trot to any reasonable extent ; 

 but it is very fatiguing, and if it be carried too far 

 the horse will become careless and heavy. When- 

 ever the horse becomes negligent in this trot, it 

 should be put back to the lessons on foot and in 

 the march. 



The Passage is a low Spanish trot, in which the 

 pause in each stride is not so strongly marked ; that 

 is, it is a slow brilliant trot, in which the horse brings 

 each pair of diagonal legs to the ground at exactly 

 the same moment. The passage is usually employed 

 in traversing, as it is peculiarly fitted for the move- 

 ments to either side in safety. The horse in this 

 movement must be very light and well balanced, 

 and the action should be even and regular. The 



