CHANGING LEG AT GALLOP. 245 



the change of aids as a signal for a change of lead, we 

 shall soon teach him to change, on feeling the change of 

 aids, when he is cantering on a straight line. Here, again, 

 we need not exact absolute precision as regards the moment 

 at which the change is made. To meet the requirements 

 of ignorant riders, of '* bad " ground over which the horse 

 should be allowed to exercise his natural watchfulness 

 against danger, of high speed, and of other disarranging 

 circumstances which are to be met with, especially when 

 going over a " country," I think it well for the horse to be 

 taught to make, when necessary, the required change of lead 

 on his own accord, in the event of his rider failing to give him 

 the signal by a change of aids to do so. I need hardly point 

 out to the experienced horseman that the habit of readily 

 changing the leg at the canter or gallop when a turn is 

 being made to the side opposite to that of the leading fore 

 leg, is valuable in hunters, racehorses, chasers, hacks, 

 troopers, and every other kind of animal, except the high 

 school horse, which is supposed never to take the initiative 

 in any movement. As his work is confined to the manege, 

 we need not consider him here. 



I may point out that one of the clearest signals which 

 we can give to the horse to make him change his leg at the 

 canter, is shifting the weight of our body from the side of 

 the leading fore leg, to that of the non-leading one ; for 

 by doing so, we disturb the balance of the horse's 

 body so much, that to regain it, he will be obliged to 

 change his leg. 



In circling, as well as in turning, the track of the hind 

 feet should be the same as that of the fore feet, and the 



