The Walk.
The Stop.
Turns in the Walk.
Turns in general should be made slowly; and all the aids should combine in producing them.
In performance, the hand to which we turn, or inner hand, is to be a little below the outer one, and the inner rein held with double the force of the outer one, which is to be exerted by the little finger pulling gently upwards and towards the body, while the outer hand retains a steady hold of the outer rein. At the same time, the legs, by a slight pressure with the calves, must support the horse, keep him up to the bridle, make him bring his haunches under him, and obey the leading rein. The pressure of the inward leg alone would make him throw his haunches too much outwards. All this is to be done in proportion to the effect meant to be produced; and great precision and delicacy are required in the execution.
Wheels may also be briefly noticed here. A horse may wheel or turn on his own ground, on three pivots,—on his centre, on his fore feet, and on his hind feet. In all these, the hand directs all before the horseman, and the heel all behind him. In wheeling on centres, the hand and heel operate together—the hand leading the shoulder round—the leg directing the croupe, by which means, in going about, the fore feet describe one half-circle, and the hind feet another. Here the aids of the hand, body, and legs, must exactly correspond; and the degree of appuy must be merely such as will carry its aid into effect; for, if the appuy is too weak, the horse will advance over his ground, and if too strong, he will retire from it.
On terminating the wheel or quarter circle, the about or half-circle, or the about and about, or whole circle, the hand, the body, and leg, must instantly resume their proper position. The wheel on the fore, and that on the hind feet, are still more rarely of use in common practice.