82 THE CANTER. 



his haunches well under him ; for the support of which, 

 in this position, he will keep both his hind feet for a 

 moment on the ground, while he commences the canter 

 by raising his fore feet together. 



The canter is by far the most elegant and agree- 

 able of all the paces, when properly performed by the 

 horse and rider : its perfection consists in its union and 

 animation, rather than its speed. It is usual with 

 learners who practise without a master, to begin the 

 canter previously to the trot ; but we are supported by 

 good authority in recommending, that the lady should 

 first practise the trot, as it is certainly much better cal- 

 culated to strengthen and confirm her in the balance, 

 seat &c. than the canter. 



The lady is advised, at this stage of her progress, to 

 practise the paces, alternately, in the various combina- 

 tions of the figures we have described ; performing her 

 aids with greater power and accuracy in turning and 

 working in circles, when trotting or cantering, than 

 when walking. She should also perfect herself in her 

 aids, the correspondence, and balance, by alternately 

 increasing and diminishing the speed in each pace, un- 

 til she attain a perfect mastery over herself and her 

 horse, and can not only make him work in what direc- 

 tion, and at what pace, but, also, at what degree of speed 

 in each pace, she pleases. 



The horse ought to lead with the right foot : should 

 he strike off with the left, the rider must either check 



