MODERN FARRIER. 21^ 



■a gag rein, and which are constantly throwing their 

 heads up to get relief from such an unnatural con- 

 finement. 



A horse cannot move his shoulders with freedom, 

 and advance his fore-legs well, if his head is too 

 much confined by the hand of the rider; a tight 

 rein, therefore, should always be avoided. It is a 

 fact worthy of observation, that a horse tliat walks 

 well generally excels in every other pace : neverthe- 

 less, there are sometimes exceptions, as some bad 

 walkers are very speedy in other paces ; but tliis is 

 owing chiefly to the bad management of the rider. 



117. The Amble. 



In ambling, the animal moves tAvo legs on the 

 same side at once. This pace belongs more particu- 

 larly to quadrupeds that have long flexible spines, 

 such as lions, tigers, and dogs. When a horse, 

 therefore adopts this pace of his own accord, it is a 

 sign of weakness. 



118. The Trot 



In a trot, two legs are moved at the same time ; 

 for when a near or left fore-leg is elevated, the off 

 or right hind-leg is raised at the same moment. 

 No horse can trot well unless his legs be well placed, 

 and his chest be neither too narrov/ nor too broad. 

 When it is too narrow, the elbows generally incline 

 too much inwards, and the animal is liable to cross 

 his legs and to cut his knee. On the contrary, 

 when the chest is too broad, the horse is apt to 

 acquire an unpleasant rolling motion. 



' In the trot,' says the writer before quoted, * there 

 is a certam degree of flexion in the knee necessary 

 to safe and quick action ; and with a good trotter, 

 that moves the shoulders freely and throws forward 

 his fore-leg, the knee may be seen by the rider ad- 

 vanced beyond the point of the shoulder every time 

 the leg is in the air. 



