HANDS AND LEGS. 59 



that when tlie horse is forced to yield to the hand he 

 becomes light in front, and the theory we support is in 

 that case proved. 



We have seen that, by overcoming the resistances of 

 the forehand, we can lighten that part without violence, 

 and when we come to the lesson upon the gallop the 

 same principles will be applied to make the horse lead 

 with either leg. For if the forehand is made light by 

 the proper action of the bit, that side will be made the 

 lighter upon which the action is the more strongly de- 

 fined, so that to make him lead off with the right leg we 

 shall raise that side with the right rein, and the horse 

 will move off with his head in the proper position. 



To Change Dieection. — We will suppose that the 

 horse has so far progressed in his education that he may 

 be put into the walk, and yet be so obedient to the bit 

 that he retains the equilibrium as far as is possible. 

 Keeping him at a steady walk, the rider will accustom 

 him to bear the pressure of the legs by applying them, 

 first one and then the other, as the horse raises the 

 epposite fore-leg. This will serve to improve the action 

 of the gait, as well as to bring him to bear the pressure 

 of the legs without flinching. When he will answer the 

 pressure of the legs and bare heels by bringing forward 

 the forces of the croup, and will measure his speed by 

 the freedom given him by the hand, without forcing 

 himself upon it, he will be accustomed to the spur until 

 he bears the scratch of the rowel with the same compla- 

 cency that he bore the attacks of the heels. This can 

 be brought .about without trouble by quieting the horse 

 by Toice and band after each application of the aid. 



