THE TROT. 59 



by some writers the ajppel^ and this yoa will ordinarily 

 yield your hand to, so as to keep a steady feeling of the 

 month. 



If, however, the horse begins to bear on the bit, hold 

 your hand firmly, with the rein just so tight that at 

 every step he will himself thrust his jaw against the 

 curb. This will very likely bring him to his senses 

 and restore his lightness, and if so, pat and praise him ; 

 but if not, tap him on the side with your whip, at the 

 same time pulling on the curb for a second or two. If 

 he does not yield to this, repeated two or three times, 

 stop him short; and when, by the same method, you 

 have got him to relax his gripe of the bit and arch his 

 neck, allow him to go on again. He will dislike ex- 

 cessively to be stopped and started in this way, and 

 when he finds that he will not be permitted to go in 

 any way but the right one he will give up the attempt. 



Do not try to succeed by giving a long, steady pull, 

 nor by using force, as it will do no good, and may cause 

 the tongue to be put over the bit — a very troublesome 

 trick. Remember, in stopping, to lean back, and laj^- 

 your whip, by a movement of the wrist, ou the horse's 

 back. 



You will next turn your attention to your horse's 

 gait. As the trot is rarely so easy that a lady can sit 

 down to it with comfort, it is advisable to rise in the 

 stirrup. 



This is difiicult and fatiguing if the stride is too long, 



