THE BACKWARD TROT. 213 



hind parts may execute the same backward 

 movement as soon as the fore feet are placed 

 on the ground. 



The principle is the same as for the pre- 

 ceding performance; with a perfect rassem- 

 bler, the hind legs will find themselves so 

 brought under the centre, that, by raising 

 the fore hand, the movement of the hocks 

 can only be an upward one. This perform- 

 ance, though easily executed with a power- 

 ful horse, ought not to be attempted with 

 one not possessing this quality. 



12. Changing feet every step, each time 

 of the gallop being done on a different leg. 



In order to practise this difficult perform- 

 ance, the horse ought to be accustomed to 

 execute perfectly, and as frequently as pos- 

 sible, changing feet at the touch. Before 

 attempting these changes of feet every step, 

 we should have brought him to execute this 

 movement at every other step. Every- 



