MODERN RIDING. 125 



kind of trot with which the pupil may begin ; 

 for before any thing else ought to be medi- 

 tated, the horse should be taught to cover his 

 ground readily, and without fear. 



II. The trot, however, may be extended 

 without being supple ; for the horse may go 

 directly forward, and yet not have that ease 

 and suppleness of limb which distinguishes 

 and characterizes the supple trot. The supple 

 trot is that in which the horse, at every motion 

 that he makes, bends and plays the joints of 

 his shoulders, knees, and feet. This no colts 

 or raw horses, who have not had their limbs 

 suppled by exercise, can execute : on the 

 contrary, they always trot with surprising 

 stiffness and awkwardness, and without the 

 least spring or play in their joints. 



III. The even or equal trot is that wherein 

 the horse makes all his limbs and joints move 

 so equally and exactly, that his legs never 

 cover more ground one than the other, nor at 

 one time more than at another. To do this, 



