CHANGES OF LEG. 169 



change of " aids " ought to be done with great decision and 

 perfect combination. In order for the movement to be well 

 done, it should be executed with extreme quickness, and with- 

 out the slightest jerk. This quickness and smoothness are 

 possible only if the rider has constantly taken the precaution 

 of lightly feeling the off rein, and of keeping the left leg very 

 close to the animal's side, so that he need only feel this rein a 

 little stronger and press the leg a little more. As the horse 

 has already lightly felt the off rein, and as the left leg has 

 been kept very close to his side, there will be neither jerk nor 

 irritation to the horse when this hand and this leg predomi- 

 nate in their turn. 



Finally, as we have practised our horse to start on the off 

 leg, by the action of the off rein and left leg, and as we ask 

 him to do this first change of leg when turning to the right, 

 which will be easier for him to do than when turning to the 

 left, he will very rarely refuse to do so, even at the first time. 

 If, however, he does not obey, we must not persist in roughly 

 forcing him, because that would cause him to throw his 

 haunches to the right, and make him afraid of the change of 

 leg, which he would not understand. He should be stopped, 

 brought into hand at the walk, made to start on the near 

 fore, and then asked to change his leg. But before doing 

 this we should wait until he has got quiet. 



The fact of the horse failing to do a change of leg several 

 times, is a proof that his preparation is insufficient ; that being 

 surprised by the " aids " he tried to escape or throw himself 

 to one side ; or that he did not understand what we wanted. 

 In all these cases we should begin starting him afresh. Any 

 failure in this respect will be extremely rare if the horse has 

 been properly prepared. 



Whenever we meet with a difficulty we should go back to 

 the start, with the near fore leading, or with the off fore lead- 

 ing. By these repeated starts with a halt, we shall succeed in 



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