20 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



Another point to be considered in the selec- 

 tion of a horse is, what gait or gaits are best 

 suited to the rider, and here again the lady 

 should take her figure into consideration. The 

 walk, trot, canter, and gallop are the only gaits 

 recognized by English horsewomen, but in 

 America the walk, rack, pace, and canter are 

 the favorite gaits. If the lady's figure be slen- 

 der and elegant, any of the above named gaits 

 will suit her, but should she be large or stout, 

 a brisk walk or easy canter should be selected. 

 The rapid gallop and all fast gaits should be 

 left to light and active riders. 



The fast or running walk is a very desirable 

 gait for any one, but is especially so for middle- 

 aged or stout people, who cannot endure much 

 jolting ; it is also excellent for delicate women, 

 for poor riders, or for those who have long jour- 

 neys to make which they wish to accomplish 

 speedily and without undue fatigue to them- 

 selves or their horses. A good sound horse 

 who has been trained to this walk can readily 

 travel thirty or forty miles a day, or even more. 

 This gait is adapted equally well to the street, 

 the park, and the country road ; but it must be 

 acknowledged that horses possessing it rarely 

 have any other that is desirable, and, indeed, 

 any other would be apt to impair the ease and 



