EQUITATION AND HORSE TRAINING. 69 



haunches, bringing the hind legs under and moving to the 

 front. This very complexity shows their importance. 

 It will therefore be readily understood that gallop leads, 

 alternated at short intervals, will rapidly perfect the 

 young horse's training and, moreover, that this is the 

 best method of paving the way for the lesson of change 

 of lead. 



Change of lead. — Change of lead is nothing more than 

 exacting the gallop lead when the horse is at the gallop. 

 It is the most difficult of leads and must not be attempted 

 until the horse is thoroughly confirmed in the gallop 

 lead from the trot and walk. If the lesson of change of 

 lead is given too soon or if the rider is too exacting at first 

 the horse will slow up and become uncertain in gait. He 

 will learn the trick of holding back and especially of gal- 

 loping disunited; hence, all the benefit of preceding les- 

 sons will be lost. 



To bring the horse up to the change of lead, gradually 

 decrease the intervals between the alternate leads exacted 

 from the slow trot. The set of the horse must be changed 

 before he returns to the trot. Thus, for instance, if the 

 horse is galloping right, set him with the left diagonal, 

 effect (right leg and left supporting rein). The change 

 of set causes the horse to balance himself and brings him 

 down to the trot (where he feels steadier), but if the lower 

 aids continue to force the gait the horse will take the gal- 

 lop with the left lead. 



This is the analysis of the change of lead. Little by 

 little the length of time of the intermediate trot is dimin- 

 ished until the change of lead in the air is obtained. 



The lesson of change of lead can be given on the track 

 of the riding hall or on a circle. At first it is advanta- 

 geous to lead off with the outside foot and then attempt 

 the change of lead to the inside foot. This plan is espe- 

 cially applicable to work on a circle. 



In all this work, the thing to be avoided is a desire to 

 progress too rapidly. If the horse resists, you must not 



