302 SCHOOL BREAKING. 



at which the non-leading fore leg comes to the ground (see 

 Fig. 4) ; for then the shock, due to the sudden stoppage, 

 will be fully borne by both hind legs, and by one fore one. 

 I may remark that the weight-bearing function of the non- 

 leading fore leg will have practically ceased at the moment 

 when the leading fore leg is brought down (see Fig. 120). 



Change from one pace to another. — To change from 

 the canter to the trot, we may, as the leading fore leg comes 

 down (see Fig. 120), apply strongly the drawn-back outward 

 foot ; feel both reins ; lean a little forward ; and put weight 

 on the stirrups. By the application of the drawn-back foot 

 we prompt the horse to bring the hind leg of that side 

 quickly to the front ; by feeling the reins we check the 

 advance of the leading fore leg so as to get the feet of 

 these two legs to come to the ground at the same moment ; 

 and by leaning forward we facilitate the advance of the 

 hind leg ; the result being that the canter becomes changed 

 into a trot. I may point out that the trot is a pace of two 

 time, in which the near fore comes on the ground at the 

 same moment as the off hind ; and the off fore, as the near 

 hind. In the canter, the non-leading fore leg and the 

 opposite hind leg move together ; consequently all that we 

 have to do to convert it into a trot is to check the action of 

 the leading fore leg and hasten that of the opposite hind, 

 so that they, also, will move together. 



To change from the canter to the walk, we may, at the 

 moment the non-leading fore leg comes to the ground, 

 apply the aids in the same manner as for the halt (see 

 preceding page), and then instantly slacken the reins. 



