VOLTES AND DEMI-VOLTES. 165 



The horse being placed straight and in hand, as in the 

 voltes, ought to leave the wall. When he has made three 

 strides, he ought to cover the rest of the ground on two 

 tracks, while coming up to the wall. 



To go on two tracks, while the horse is cantering with the 

 off fore leading, the off snaffle rein pulls the head and neck a 

 little to the right, whilst the near rein, being applied against 

 the neck, presses the shoulders to the right. The left leg 

 causes the haunches to move to the right, and the right leg 

 helps to press the horse forward and to keep him in hand, 

 which is important, because he has to advance while going 

 to the side. 



On arriving at the wall, which is on the right of the rider, 

 we should straighten the horse,* stop him, get him into hand 

 at the walk, and start him into the canter with the near fore 

 leading. We can do the same work on the other foot. 



When the horse can do demi-voltes well, I prolong them 

 for some strides at the canter, without changing the leg. 

 Thus, I begin the demi-volte at the wall, which is on my left. 

 While cantering the horse with the off fore leading, I turn to 

 the right, and continue to keep up the canter on the off fore, 

 even after the demi-volte, but only during two or three strides 

 at the first attempt. I increase the number of these strides 

 only little by little, according to the lightness and cleverness 

 of the horse. This is the most simple way to teach a horse 

 to canter with the right leg when turning to the left ; and 

 vice versa. This exercise is indispensable if we wish to 

 readily obtain changes of leg when cantering round to the 

 right or left. 



When the horse goes round the school correctly on the leg 

 which is next to the wall, we should start several times with 

 the off fore leading, and also with the near fore leading, both 



* The shoulders should arrive first at the wall, so that the movement 

 may be correct. 



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