62 EQUITATION AND HORSE TRAINING. 



the right diagonal pair), the thrust of the left diagonal 

 pair will be the greater, and, since the thrust acts in the 

 direction of the other diagonal, the right shoulder" will 

 gain more ground than the left. From this there results, 

 after a certain length of time, a disagreeable irregularity 

 in the gait. 



The results explained in the second remark above may 

 be practically utilized. If the rider discovers that his 

 horse trots unevenly and advances one shoulder more 

 than the other, he should rise habitually on the shoulder 

 that gains less ground until the fault is corrected. 



These results may also be utilized to correct the fault 

 of a horse always leading with the same foot at a gallop. 

 Suppose, for instance, a horse that always gallops on the 

 right foot: to lead with the right foot the horse sets the 

 right shoulder in advance of the left. If, therefore, the 

 rider persists, for a certain length of time, in rising from 

 the left diagonal pair, the left shoulder, as has been ex- 

 plained above, will be pushed further forward than the 

 right and the horse will be in a position at a trot that will 

 induce him to lead with the left foot at a gallop. 



From the preceding explanations it is evident that the 

 rider should know how to trot his horse on either shoulder 

 and to change shoulders without changing gait if he 

 wishes to develop the animal's efficiency equally and have 

 him always perfectly straight. 



The only exception is when the legs of one diagonal 

 pair have been injured and they can be saved by rising 

 from the other. 



Lengthening and shortening the gait at a walk and 

 trot. — Lengthening and shortening of gaits must be 

 executed gradually and by the steady use of the aids. 

 The lowering of the head and the extending of the neck 

 assist in producing a lengthened gait. The raising of the 

 head and curving of the crest favor a shortening of the 

 gait. 



