57 



The distribution of the rider's weight, which will later, when 

 treating on the guidance of the horse, be found to play a very important 

 part among the aids of weight, is now to be considered as a means of 

 maintaining the riders balance, the latter being at present the sole ob- 

 ject of the lessons. 



In starting as well as -in stopping, the riders weight should go with 

 the horse, leaning slightly forward in the first instance until the horse 

 is in motion and reclining before the stop when the command "halt" is 

 given. 



In regard to commands given during the instruction, we would say, 

 that they are necessary, when more than one rider is instructed at 

 the same time, in order to insure the uniform execution of the lessons 

 and becatise they ftirnish to the teacher the proof, that the pupil is 

 capable of prompting bis horse to certain movj.nents at a moment 

 given by him. 



The commands should also express in the way they are given, the 

 space of time, required for their execution. Two commands are usually 

 given, the first intended to prepare the rider for the evolution or the so 

 called "preparatory command," the second, or executive command," for 

 the execution. 



The starting, stopping and turning of the horse, necessitate the ap- 

 plication of the aids of the reins, legs and weight, and the executive 

 command "march" should be given slowly and the voice, in cases, 

 where a start or increase of speed is required, should be raised, and 

 lowered when a decrease of speed or a standstill is demanded. This is 

 not unimportant, because the call for decisive action or gentle and 

 gradual impressions lies in the nature of the command and the pupil 

 will instinctively suit the degree of his aids to the manner, in which he 

 is called upon to give them. 



After having ridden for a number of rounds upon the right hand, 

 the pupil at the command "change" crosses the ring diagonally and ar- 

 riving at the opposite wall covers an equal number of rounds upon the 

 left hand. 



It is necessary, that all lessons without any exceptions, should be 

 divided equally upon the right and left hand, thus developing the agility 

 of the rider in both directions. 



The pupil will now change again going diagonally upon the right 

 hand and then urge his horse into a slow trot, by increased pressure of 

 the legs. 



EXERCISES OF BALANCE IK A TROT. 

 The motion of the horses legs in a trot is a diagonal one, the right 

 front leg and the left hind leg, and the left front leg -with the right hind 

 leg, being raised and set down simultaneously. 



The jolting, which accompanies the trotting motion of the horse, 

 causes the rider to be thrown slightly upward from the saddle, and the 

 shock which he receives in regaining his seat after each step, should be 

 lessened bythe tension of the foot upon the stirrup, the elasticity of the 

 ankle joint and a moderate grip of the thighs upon the saddle. The use 



