i66 ORDINARY RIDING. 



tc the right and to the left, while always keeping him along 

 the wall. 



CHANGES OF LEG. 



When a horse at the canter leads equally well with both 

 legs, it is necessary that the rider should make him strike off 

 with whichever leg he likes. He should also know how to 

 make the horse change his leg, namely, to pass from one 

 canter into the other canter without stopping. This is not 

 high school work, but belongs to ordinary riding, whether 

 practised in the school or outside. 



If, for example, we are at the canter with the horse's near 

 fore leading, and we wish to turn to the right, it is impossible 

 to make this change of direction without danger. In fact, 

 the near leg, which is in advance, will cross the off leg, and 

 the horse will probably fall, in which case the rider will be 

 almost certain to blame the horse ; but the fault is his own.* 



If, when cantering with the near fore leading, we wish to 

 turn to the right, while maintaining the same pace, we should 

 first of all make the horse change his leg, in which case the 

 turnmg movement will be made easily and without danger. 

 In fact, the horse will have his head and body bent towards 

 the side to which he is turning. Further, it is the forward 

 leg which covers the ground of the side to which the change 

 of direction is being made.f 



* A horse which crosses his legs may escape falling, but only if he is lucky. 



If a horse which is cantering with the near fore, falls on being turned to 

 the right, he does so because he is abruptly put into the position for the canter to 

 the right. In high school riding we succeed very well in turning to the right, 

 while our horse canters with the near fore. To do this we should make a large 

 circle when turning, should always keep the horse in the position of the canter 

 to the left, and should even exaggerate this position, by using the right leg to push 

 the croup a little more to the left. It is easier to change the leg. 



t With respect to changes of direction, I give the following advice : always 

 enlarge the circle as much as possible ; slacken the speed a little when turning ; 

 and if not quite certain of the change of leg — which is difficult in propor- 

 tion to the speed — it is best before turning to make the horse change into the 

 trot and not to put him into the canter again until he has completed the turn. 



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