236 MOUNTED BREAKING. 



The body of a quadruped being supported at two ends 

 by limbs ; it follows that, when a horse turns of his own 

 accord, the point round which the revolution takes place 

 will approach the heavier end according to the difference 

 of weight on the two ends. As the weight on a horse's 

 forehand, which at the halt is only slightly more than that 

 on the hind-quarters, increases as the speed ; so will the 

 tendency to turn on the forehand, when a turn is being 

 made, similarly increase. If the weight were equally dis- 

 tributed between both ends of the horse, his balance during 

 a turn would be preserved in the best possible manner, and 

 the track of the hind feet would follow that of the fore feet. 

 In proportion, however, as the weight on the forehand 

 exceeds that on the hind-quarters (or in proportion to the 

 speed); the greater will be the liability of the animal to fall 

 or to have his balance unduly disturbed, when turning, by 

 his hinder end describing a larger arc than the fore part of 

 his body ; or, in other words, by the track of the hind feet 

 going outside that of the fore feet. To correct this tendency, 

 we should, when about to turn the horse during movement, 

 slacken speed, lean back in the saddle, hold the horse's 

 head up (so as to bring the weight back), apply the out- 

 ward (the left if the turn is being made to the right, and 

 vice versa) drawn-back leg to the animal's side, and lean 

 the weight of the body inwards (to the side to which the 

 horse is being turned), so as to oppose the centrifugal force. 

 In order to turn the animal's head and neck in the most 

 effective manner, we should carry the right (if the turn is 

 being made to the right, and vice versa) hand away from 

 the side of the horse, as well as backwards, and raising the 



