As the momentum is not entirely checked during this half-halt, the horse who expects to raise his leg during the halt, anticipates the halt, and almost always does a time of the canter with his leg in the air, in which case we should halt him, pat him on the neck, and stop the lesson.

We can see that these two movements, which at first were separate, are beginning to be formed into one ; but that is not sufficient.

When the horse does this work easily, and without stiffness, we ought to demand the extension of the leg without a half-halt, by simply taking care to decrease the speed, and to raise the forehand. We should hasten slowly, and for a long time should be content with two or three strides during which the leg is completely extended, and above all things sustained.

If we wish to stimulate the horse to such an extent that he will hold his leg in the air, we should, ourselves, display great energy ; because, not only is the office of our left leg to make the horse keep his off fore in the air, but it also, in combination with the right leg, ought to keep him at the canter, by bringing his hind legs under him. In other words, we maintain the canter by a strong pressure of both legs, and at the same time we make the animal hold his off fore in the air, by small and repeated touches of the left spur.

We ought to use the right leg as vigorously as the left, in order to prevent the horse carrying his hind quarters to the right. If he goes sideways, we should stop him and put him straight, before recommencing the movement ; because, when he places himself obliquely, he will be deficient in propulsion, and in this position we shall be able to obtain only the extension of the leg or the canter ; but not both together. It is therefore indispensable to keep the animal very straight, and to give him a point of support on the right snaffle rein, in order to facilitate the upholding of the right leg.