THE CANTER. 



It is a hard task for a great many riders to make a 

 horse canter correctly, and still more difficult for others to 

 canter at all. Even some men ride, hit or miss, all their 

 lives, without knowing right from wrong, and care less, 

 as long as the steed they bestride, carries them along at a 

 rapid gait. The great trouble is that some riders do not 

 know how to place a horse for the canter, and very sel- 

 dom what aids to use. When a horse canters properly, 

 the weight must depend on the haunches, and the horse 

 must balance himself accordingly ; for instance, if the 

 rider is riding in a ring, and riding to the right, the animal 

 should by all means lead with the right leg, both front 

 and rear, and vice versa to the left. When riding to the 

 right the horse obtains his balance on the right hind leg, 

 assisted by the left hind leg ; when riding to the left, it is 

 the left hind leg, assisted by the right hind leg. Now at 

 first, when you learn to canter your horse, you should do 

 it from a trot, as it is easier for the pupil. The aid for 

 cantering is to try and raise the forehand, use a strong 

 pressure of both legs, the outward one much the stronger. 

 When riding in the right direction, the rider should raise 

 the right rein and close the left leg, and when riding to 

 the left, should raise the left rein and close the right leg. 



