HOW TO RIDE. 13 



It has been already pointed out that, in consequence of the projecting 

 position of the head and neck, especially when the horse stands at ease, a 

 somewhat greater proportion of its total weight falls on the fore legs than 

 on the hinder ones ; and when it depresses its head still more than is repre- 

 sented in Plate I., — for instance, for the purpose of grazing, — the animal 

 puts forward one fore leg, and usually at the some time the hind leg of the 

 opposite side, for the purpose of securing its equilibrium ; and even horses 

 standing still, especially under a load, do the same, in order to rest each 

 pair of legs alternately. 



We learn two facts from this : first, that the fore legs are essentially 

 bearers, and that the hind ones, although chiefly propellers, are also to a 

 certain extent bearers. 



Put a man on a horse without a saddle, and with nothing but a halter on 

 the animal's head, and he will inevitably slip forwards till his seat comes in 

 contact with the withers. Let him then stand still, and the horse, espe- 

 cially if a young or untrained one, will most probably shove forward his 

 hind or fore legs in one of these two ways. 



Now we may favor the propelling power of the hind legs by weighting 

 forward within certain limits ; and this we know to be the case, — the long 

 stride of the race-horse is favored by the well-known forward seat of the 

 jockey. And it is equally true that placing the weight too near the hind 

 legs must diminish their propelling power, by converting them, in a greater 

 degree, into bearers. There can be no question but that weighting in this 

 manner diminishes speed. 



In the action of a horse the first point to be observed is, that in walking 

 and trotting the horse moves its diagonal legs simultaneously or nearly so, 

 that is to say, the off fore and the near hind legs move together and alter- 

 nate in this action with the near fore and off hind ones ; so that, whilst the 

 one pair is being moved forward, the other sustains the weight of the 

 animal. 



In cantering and galloping the case is different : the two legs at the 

 same side are advanced simultaneously, the other two remaining behind. 



This will serve to explain why it is that, although a moderate trot is less 

 fatiguing to horses than any other pace for a long journey, on account of 

 the pairs of legs being used as bearers and propellers alternately, some 

 horses will, under the rider, break into a canter, the alternate shifting of 



