142 CHANGES IN THE GALLOP. 



the side with which the long strides are to 

 be taken ; for the soldier by the " double- 

 feeling " of the direct-rein bends the horse's 

 head to that side, and with the opposite 

 spur brings about the croup, and the horse 

 must take the gallop with the side so col- 

 lected. But while the desired action has 

 been brought about, the horse cannot have 

 that grace and freedom of action that 

 follows the method of lightening the side 

 that is to lead. 



All authorities, other than the one I 

 have just referred to, follow the old rule 

 of '* the opposite rein and opposite spur,'* 

 until the horse has been taught to gallop 

 with either side, when some other and 

 more proper method is substituted. But 

 there can be no good reason for adopting 

 a false method by which to teach a move- 



