CHANGES OF DIRECTION. 87 



speak to him. Each time he wishes to advance or go side- 

 ways, we should put him back in his place, and should not 

 allow him to take a step in any direction. If we allow him 

 to go to one side or the other, no matter how little, the first 

 movement will probably be followed by a second one ; and 

 so on. I repeat, that the best way to calm him down and get 

 him to stand steady, is to pat him on the neck and speak 

 kindly to him. 



If the horse is alone and in an enclosed place, he will 

 readily give in, but to teach him to stand steady in a street, 

 we should bring other horses into the school and make them 

 move about. When he stands steady under these conditions, 

 we should renew the exercise outside, in some quiet place, and 

 should then, little by little, try him in places where there 

 is more traffic. I have already said that habit is everything 

 for a horse. Therefore it is only necessary to accustom him 

 to stand in the middle of the noise and movement of the 

 street, and to make him understand that he will get pats on 

 the neck for so doing. 



After all, great gentleness, patience and gradual training 

 are the best means for making a horse stand still in any place 

 as long as we like. 



CHANGES OF DIRECTION. 



At first, all changes of direction should be taught at 

 the walk. 



To turn to the right, we should lightly draw the off 

 snaffle rein with the right hand to the right, and not towards 

 our body, so as not to stop the horse. 



We find that the animal slackens his pace when he turns ; 

 because the forward reach of his shoulder which begins the 

 movement is decreased, so that the off fore leg of the horse, 

 if the turn is made to the right, covers only about half the 

 distance of an ordinary step. This period of arrest causes 



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