224 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



responds to the slightest touch of the rider's 

 hand upon the reins. A horse that moves in 

 this manner is one for display ; his grand action 

 will emphasize the grace of a finished rider, and 

 the appearance of the tout ensemble will be the 

 extreme of elegance and well-bred ease. 



Horses intended for ladies' use are generally 

 trained to lead in the canter with the right or 

 off fore-foot. Most lady riders, whose lessons 

 in riding have been limited, sit crosswise upon 

 their saddles. This position, without their be- 

 ing aware of it, places them more in unison 

 with the horse's movements, and thereby ren- 

 ders the canter with this lead the easiest gait 

 for them. But if a horse be constantly re- 

 quired to canter with this lead he will soon be- 

 come unsound in his left hind-leg, because in 

 leading with the right fore-foot he throws the 

 greater part of his weight upon his left hind- 

 leg, and thus makes it perform double duty. 

 For this reason the majority of ladies' horses, 

 when the canter is their principal gait, will be 

 found to suffer from strained muscles, tendons, 

 and articulations. 



A finished rider will from time to time re- 

 lieve her horse by changing the lead to the left 

 leg, or else she will change the canter to a trot. 

 Should her horse decidedly refuse to lead with 



