INSTEUCTIOX. 137 



must see tliat the riders guide properly, so that all start and 

 finish a movement at the same moment. 



Halting in file should be practiced until the riders all do 

 so in about the same distance ; the riders must be careful not 

 to lean forward, but halt the horse by pressing the legs tight- 

 ly and leaning well back in the saddle, as already explained. 



The right and left about at the wall or in the ring should 

 be carefully practiced. 



After the rider knows how to guide his horse properly in 

 the walk and trot, the principles of the gallop should be 

 explained. If necessary, each rider can be taken in hand 

 separately and shown how to make the horse gallop, how to 

 keep him in the gallop, and the proper positions of the legs 

 and of the horse. At first, whether singly or in file, the gal- 

 lop is apt to be a rush, but this will be overcome by practice, 

 and as the rider improves in the control of his horse. The 

 slower a gallop can be executed the better it looks, and the 

 speed is in direct sympathy with the rider's excellence of 

 horsemanship and the horse's training. 



After the proper execution of movements in single file, 

 the formations by twos, threes, and fours can be attempted, 

 and the different movements executed in succession, in col- 

 umn of twos, threes, and fours. 



As the outside flank riders must increase their gait in 

 turning a corner or circle, they are liable to keep it up after 

 the straight line has been resumed ; this must be avoided by 

 all means, as it increases the gait without command and pre- 

 vents the proper execution of any movement. The change 

 of gait, increasing or decreasing, should be prompt, but at 

 the same time gradual. 



After forming twos, threes, and fours, the breaking off 

 into file or by twos from either flank can follow; then form- 

 ing threes from twos, and vice versa ; then forming by six, 

 eight, or in line, from single file, twos or fours, and breaking 

 off from the same. 



Circling in line should receive careful attention, both on 

 the fixed and movable pivot. 



