THE CANTER. 235 



the canter with whichever fore leg we wish him to lead ; 

 or change his leading fore leg. The drawn-back outward 

 foot of the rider will also act as a hint to the animal to 

 bring his outward hind leg under him and thus to strike off 

 into the canter with the proper fore leg leading. Owing to the 

 fact that the leading fore leg has to raise the fore-hand off the 

 ground at each stride, a good deal of weight will have to be 

 taken off the fore -hand in starting into the canter from the 

 halt, or in changing into the canter from the walk or trot. 

 Therefore, to make a horse strike off or change into the canter 

 with, say, the off fore leading, we should turn the horse's 

 head slightly to the left, feel both reins with the hands 

 somewhat raised, sit down in the saddle, lean a little back 

 and to the right, and apply the drawn-back left foot. To 

 do this with the near fore leading, the moment of appli- 

 cation of the leg as an aid should of course be reversed. In 

 all these indications, the change in the position of the weight 

 of the rider's body will be an effective signal and useful 

 mechanical help to the horse. 



Riding men are generally content with their horse going off 

 into the canter, even if he takes the preliminary steps in a 

 more or less disordered manner, and leads with whichever fore 

 leg he likes best. If, however, they wish to make a horse 

 start off at that pace from the halt or change into it from the 

 walk or trot, with precision and with the desired fore leg 

 leading, they must have the animal previously trained to do 

 this, and must possess the knowledge and skill to apply the 

 aids in a correct manner. Although the requisite knowledge 

 can be supplied by a book, the not less necessary skill can be 

 acquired only by practice. Practical instruction of a com- 

 petent nature will combine these two conditions in the best 

 possible manner. 



Supposing, therefore, that the horse understands his work, 

 and that we wish him to change from the trot into the canter 



