RIDING IN CIRCLES. — CHANGE OF LEADING FOOT. 81 



do the large circles on level ground at a canter. Here 

 comes in the troublesome matter of the " leading foot," 

 and if you do not understand it, you must not be dis- 

 couraged, for many persons ride "hit or miss'- their 

 whole lives long without thinking or knowing anything 

 about it. The expression, besides, is misleading, and 

 you will do well to study up the subject first on straight 

 lines. Get a friend to canter beside you, and observe 

 the motion of his horse's feet. You will see that the 

 two fore-feet and the two hind-feet strike the ground 

 not only one later than the other, but one in advance of 

 the other, and that the one which leaves the ground last 

 steps past the other and is planted farthest forward. It 

 is this foot taking the long stride which is called, al- 

 though it moves last, the " leading foot." 



It ought not to make any difference to the horse 

 with which foot he leads, nor to his rider, if a man, so 

 long as he follows a straight line; but whenever he has 

 to turn, it becomes both to horse and rider of impor- 

 tance — if the curve is sharp, of very great importance — 

 that he should lead on the side towards which he is to 

 turn. 



A little observation of your companion's horse when 

 turning will make the reason clear to you. A woman's 

 seat being on the left side of the horse, it is easier for 

 her that the shoulder having the most motion should be 

 on the right side, and ladies' saddle-horses are conse- 

 quently trained to lead with the right foot ; the result, 

 6 



