THE CANTER. 227 



the foot required, whether right or left, it may 

 be inferred that he is unsound in that leg or 

 foot; in which case he should be favored, and 

 permitted to make his own lead, while the can- 

 ter should frequently be changed to a walk. 



To commence the canter, the horse must be 

 brought to a walk, or to a stand, then be placed 

 on his haunches, and collected by means of the 

 curb, left leg, and whip ; and then the bridle- 

 hand must be raised, while the second, third, 

 and fourth fingers are moved to and fro, so as 

 to give gentle pulls upon the curb-reins, thus 

 soliciting the animal to raise his fore-feet. In 

 performing these manoeuvres, the rider must be 

 careful to direct the leg with which she desires 

 her horse to lead. This may be done as fol- 

 lows: If she desires to have the right leg 

 lead, the tension upon the left curb-rein must, 

 just before the animal rises to take his first step, 

 be increased enough to make him incline his 

 head so far to the left that the rider can see his 

 left nostril, while, simultaneously, her left leg 

 must press against his side. By these means, 

 the horse will be prompted to place himself 

 obliquely, with his head rather to the left, and 

 his croup to the right. 



The rider, if seated exactly in the centre of 

 her saddle, must take a position corresponding 



