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 hidy 

 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 



