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 without 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 predominate 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 leading. By these repeated starts with a halt, we shall succeed in