64 HORSEMANSHIP FOR WOMEN. 



LESSON XIV. 



THE GALLOP, HAND-GALLOP, AND CANTER. 



These are treated of by some writers as distinct, the 

 canter being called " purely artificial ;" but it will be 

 convenient and sufficiently accurate for our purpose to 

 take them up together and to consider the canter as 

 what it in fact is — an improved, and not an "artificial," 

 gait. Horses undoubtedly often canter in a rude way 

 without being taught, as may be seen often in the field, 

 and not seldom in harness, and you will probably have 

 little trouble in getting your horse to do the same. It 

 is this natural canter which is called by country people 

 the "lope." It is of importance, however, that your 

 horse should not change his gait without orders, no 

 matter how hard pressed, this being especially true if 

 he is to be driven as well as ridden. The signal to 

 canter should, therefore, be such as can be given only 

 from the saddle. It is well not to use the whip for the 

 purpose, but to try by raising the bridle to lift the 

 forehand, while stimulating at the same time with the 

 heel. Should he persist in trotting, do not get vexed 

 or discouraged, for he is only resisting temptation to 



