THE WALK, 183 



foot- taps marking regular time, and his feet 

 measuring exact distances, while he will lift his 

 feet just high enough to escape obstructions on 

 the road, thrusting each foot well forward, and 

 placing it lightly, though firmly and squarely, 

 upon the ground. He will advance in a straight 

 line, vacillating neither to the right nor left, 

 and should be able to accomplish at least from 

 four to four and a half miles per hour. 



The walk of a lady's horse is almost always 

 neglected, and as a good walk is a sure founda- 

 tion for perfection in all other gaits, a lady 

 should positively insist that her steed be thor- 

 oughly trained in this particular ; especially if 

 she be large and majestic looking, because the 

 walk will then become her specialty. A stout 

 woman does not ride to the best advantage at 

 a rapid gait, but upon a horse that has the walk 

 in perfection she presents an imposing, queen- 

 like appearance. If her steed, however, be al- 

 lowed to saunter along in a careless, listless 

 manner, all the charm will be destroyed, and 

 the tout ensemble will present by no means a 

 pleasing picture. 



The beginner in riding should learn to sit and 

 manage her horse in a walk, and should never 

 attempt to ride a faster gait until she can col- 

 lect her steed, make hiin advance, turn him to 



