THE SCIENTIFIC EQUITATION 



At the gallop, the horse makes the half-passage 

 leading to the right; the lead then changes to the 

 left for the two changes of direction. Consequently, 

 after the completion of the half -passage, the left 

 rein and the left leg alter the lead, while the right 

 leg prevents the haunches from going too far to the 

 right and maintains the gallop by keeping the horse 

 inclined upon the circular line. 



If the horse's education has been wisely progres- 

 sive, especially if the progress has not been too 

 rapid, the two half-voltes are easily performed 

 simply by the master's equestrian tact. But if the 

 training has been irregular, then they become com- 

 plicated and difficult. In this case, it is better to 

 have the horse move in a straight line in place of 

 the half-passage, changing the lead when necessary. 

 Done in this way, the figure belongs to the ordi- 

 nary or lateral equitation. Properly, however, it is 

 twelve steps of the half-passage, completed by a 

 reversed pirouette at walk, trot, or gallop. 



THE FIGURE EIGHT 



THE figure eight involves two circles, one to the 

 right, the other to the left, done at the center of the 

 manege or anywhere away from walls. 



The older methodists, both of the Middle Ages 

 and of modern times, prescribed the lateral effects 

 of hand and legs in order to hold the horse's entire 

 body, from front limbs to rear, flexed upon the 

 circle on which it travels. It is necessary for this 



224 



