58 HAND-BOOK FOR HORSEWOMEN. 



too long on the left hand, but to seize that oppor- 

 tunity to rectify any incorrect positions of the feet. 



When the class can execute the foregoing move- 

 ments correctly at the walk and the trot, the teacher 

 may explain to them the canter or gallop. 



A horse is said to " lead " at a canter with his 

 right foot when the lateral movement of his right 

 foot is more marked than that of his left. This 

 causes a reaction from left to right, which makes 

 this lead easier for a lady, who sits on the left side, 

 than that of the left foot, where the reaction is from 

 right to left. When a horse who is leading with his 

 right foot turns to the left, he must change his lead, 

 and vice versd. 



To make her horse lead at a canter with his right 

 foot, the rider must put her left leg very far back to 

 act in opposition with her whip, which should make 

 very light attacks, incline the upper part of her body 

 forward, and lift her hands, without, however, draw- 

 ing them nearer her body. When the horse has 

 obeyed, she will resume the normal position for 

 hands and body, renewing the pressure of her whip 

 and leg from time to time to keep the gait regular. 

 During the canter or gallop the right foot should be 

 held well back, close to the saddle, without rigidity, 

 and the rider should sit firm in her saddle, while al- 

 lowing the upper part of her body to give freely to the 

 motion of the horse, in order to neutralize any shock. 

 To change his lead from right to left at a gallop, the 

 horse pauses for an imperceptible space of time, im- 



