TO TEACH HIGH-SCHOOL GAITS 151 



the horse is anxious to go home and will be free in his 

 motions. 



After the horse goes well in the park walk, it is an 

 easy matter to throw him into the high or park trot. 



Just as you turn toward the stable, after having 

 given the signal for the park walk, give him a stroke 

 with the whip, at the same time lifting his front quarters 

 off the ground with the reins. 



Reaching out as he should to make a high step, this 

 will throw him off the ground and start the high trot. 

 It is much easier to start from a turn, and should be 

 repeated as a turn is made before attempting it on the 

 continued straight course. 



Attaching leather pouches filled with four pounds of 

 shot to each leg will cause a horse to lift his legs high, but 

 they should never be left on more than ten minutes at a 

 time, and should be well padded on the inside to prevent 

 rubbing the hair off. 



Walking and trotting a horse through loose straw 

 fifteen or eighteen inches deep, helps to develop the 

 knee action. Riding through a stream of water, also 

 of the same depth, will develop good action. 



Be careful not to use any of these helps more than 

 ten or fifteen minutes at a time, for nothing but loss 

 in progress will result in working a tired, listless horse. 



