2IO BREAKING ON FOOT. 



is to cause the horse to circle his hind-quarters from left 

 to right (in a direction opposite to that in which the 

 hands of a watch move) round the near fore foot, which 

 at first should describe a small circle (that is, it should be 

 a moving pivot) ; but may, when the animal's education 

 is more advanced, perform the more difficult task of 

 turning round on its own axis without quitting the ground. 

 At first the horse's head should be turned to the left, so 

 as to render the near fore leg more or less stationary, by 

 increasing the amount of weight on it ; but later on, it 

 should be kept in the same line as the body, or it may be 

 even slightly turned to the right ; for if it be held in either 

 of these directions, the balance of the animal's body will 

 be better preserved, than if his head were turned to 

 the left. By lightly touching the near quarter with the 

 whip we should endeavour to make the horse move his 

 hind legs to the right. To prompt him to describe, as 

 he ought to do, a circle round his near fore with his off 

 fore, we may, as often as may be required, touch with 

 the whip the back part of the fore arm of the off fore. 

 We should strive to obtain precise movements without any 

 approach to hurry, and by justly meted-out punishment 

 and reward should make our wishes clearly intelligible to 

 our pupil. After a few lessons, the horse may be made to 

 turn on his forehand while holding the head and neck 

 straight, in which position, as I have just said, his equi- 

 librium will be better preserved than if the head were 

 turned to the left. The left rein will, if required, prevent 

 the horse from reining back, and will also keep his head 

 at the desired height. The off rein will stop him from 



