26 THE GALLOP. 



WHY THE RIDER MUST ASSIST THE HORSE IN THE 

 GALLOP. 



The horse will gallop at liberty because he is naturally 

 in balance and equilibrium ; but when he is hampered by 

 the weight of his rider, and his impulses and desires are 

 checked and controlled by the bit, he must receive 

 assistance and direction from the rider to take or to 

 keep any regularly-cadenced gait. 



When the gallop degenerates into the canter, it is 

 because the horse is not kept collected, and, in the dis- 

 united state he is in, it is necessary for him to preserve 

 the centre of gravity by bringing one of the fore- legs to 

 the ground before the second hind-leg is brought up to 

 support the weight. But in the hands of a skilled rider, 

 the centre of gravity is carried so far back that the first 

 hind-foot can sustain the weight until the other hind- 

 foot and a fore- foot come to the ground together, and the 

 pace is maintained true and regular. 



BREAK FROM GALLOP TO RUN. 



When the horse, either in liberty or under the saddle, 

 takes a high rate of speed, the collected and balanced 

 state necessary for the performance of the gallop cannot 



