THE HORSE, HOW TO BREAK AND TRAIN. 125 



catches the idea be sure to let him know that you appreciate it, and wish 

 him to preserve it. 



It is difficult to give written instrucitons, for rules which would accom- 

 plish the matter with one horse and rider, with another would totally 

 fail. There is only this fixed rule : The horse must be in complete 

 subjection to the will of the rider before anything but the natural gait 

 is attempted. All these gaits, and the canter as well, are taught by using 

 patience, keeping the feet of the animal well under him, and keeping him 

 sufficiently well curbed so he cannot extend his stride until he fully 

 understands what you want of him. 



Changing the Leading Foot. — In developing any gait the horse 

 should be made to start with either foot as desired. It should be one of 

 the first lessons, taught. To do this turn the horse's head somewhat by 

 pulling the rein and pressing the heel slightly on the side opposite to the 

 leg which it is desired to move. This will turn his head and croup 

 slightly out of the proper line of progression, something that the horse 

 naturally does when he starts. To change the leading leg, if, for instance, 

 he is leading with the off fore-leg, rouse the horse, turn his head to the 

 right, while the left heel reminds him to throw his croup out of line, 

 upon which, by a peculiar motion the change is effected. 



GrALLOPiNG. — The gallop is often stated to be the fastest gait (vf the 

 horse. This is however not strictly true. When a horse is going at the 

 top of his speed under whip and spur, the whole animal is extended to 

 the utmost, the head and tail straight out, and the animal going close to 

 the ground. The slower he goes the more upright he holds himself, un- 

 til when in the fashionable canter — the most distressing gait for the 

 horse — he is almost on his haunches. All that is necessary to get the 

 horse into the gait is to rouse him, give him a check for the leading foot, 

 and restrain the gallop to the requirements of the case. 



The hand gallop is an easy going pace, both for the horse and the 

 rider, and may be said to be half speed. The gallop proper is such a 

 gait as will exhaust the horse in going ten or twelve .miles. Running 19 

 that gait which cannot be continued longer than from one to three miles 

 without seriously distressing the horse. Being one of the natural gart« 

 of the horse it is only necessary to rouse the lazy horse to the prop^ 

 Bpeed, or to check the ambitious one to the pace desired. 



XTV. How to Train to Trot in Light Harness. 



Trotting in light harness is generally considered to mean, being hitched 

 to a light vehicle, either single or double and being driven for pleasure. 

 Used in this manner horses may be driven either with the curb, tha 



