RIDING AND TRAINING. 165 



fore-leg is given by the hind-leg of that side after 

 the other fore-leg has been raised from the ground. 

 Of course, as the speed is increased, the necessity 

 for a delayed impulse from the second hind-leg in 

 each stride would be avoided, until, as in the rapid 

 pace of the race-horse, the momentum would be so 

 great that the second hind-leg in each stride could 

 leave the ground before the leading fore-leg (from 

 which the horse goes into air) is planted. 



The horse may take the gallop under many 

 different circumstances, but it is always because the 

 vigorous action from the hind-quarters shifts the 

 weights, and forbids the balance necessary for the 

 performance of the other paces. 



It may be that speed demands the gallop, as the 

 gallop, for reasons that I shall show, is the most 

 rapid of the paces of the horse. It may be that the 

 rider throws back the weights by the action of the 

 bridle hand, and demands vigorous action from the 

 hind-quarters with the spur. It may be that a pull 

 upon the collar of a harnessed horse has checked the 

 forehand, so that the hind-legs have been carried 

 under the mass and the weights have been thrown 

 upon the hind-quarters, and those parts have re- 

 sponded with renewed energy. It may be the 

 fancy of a mettled horse at liberty. But, whatever 

 the circumstances may have been, the gallop has 



