THE WALK. 51 



LESSON X. 



THE WALK. 



This gait is apt to be hardly appreciated by youthful 

 equestrians, whose love of excitement leads them often 

 to prefer rapidity to grace of motion ; but it can, with 

 a little painstaking, be made swift and agreeable; and 

 certainly, when light and animated, it shows off both 

 horse and rider to better advantage than any other. 

 It is, besides, an indispensable stage in the bitting of 

 the horse; for until he will continue "light" while 

 starting, stopping, and turning at a walk, he should not 

 be put to a faster pace. 



Your chief difficulty will be his propensity to drop 

 into a jog-trot as soon as you try to quicken his steps ; 

 but this must be overcome by stopping him immediately 

 and then recommencing the walk, urging him forward 

 with the heel and encouraging him to lift his feet 

 quickly by a delicate play of the bit, but leaving his 

 head as free as possible. This will give you occupation, 

 probably, for several days. Do not forget to praise him 

 when he does well. 



