240 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



left or the right foot, but the oblique position 

 of his body will be very slight. The manage- 

 ment of the reins, the turns to the right or to 

 the left, the stop, and the position of the rider's 

 body, must, in this gait be the same as in the 

 canter, except that the body need not be quite 

 so erect, and the touch upon the reins must be 

 very light, barely appreciable. 



If riding a spirited horse, the lady must be 

 upon her guard, lest he increase his speed and 

 enter into a flying or racing gallop. Any horse 

 is liable to do this when he has not been prop- 

 erly exercised, especially if he is with other 

 horses, when a spirit of rivalry is aroused, and he 

 sometimes becomes almost unmanageable from 

 excitement. Many livery-stable horses, although 

 quiet enough in the city, will, when ridden 

 upon country roads, especially in the spring, re- 

 quire all the skill of their riders to keep them 

 under control. The change from the stone and 

 brick of the city or town to the odor of the 

 fresh grass and the sight of green fields has an 

 exhilarating effect upon them, and makes them 

 almost delirious with gladness, so that they act 

 like anything but sensible, quiet, well- worked 

 horses. 



When her horse manifests any such disposi- 

 tion, the rider must retain her presence of 



