132 The Canter. 



diminishing the speed in each pace, until she 

 attain a perfect mastery over herself and her 

 horse, and can not only make him work in what 

 direction, 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 him to a walk, and then make him 

 commence the canter again, or induce him to ad- 

 vance the proper leg by acting on the near rein, 

 pressing his side with the left leg, and touching his 

 right shoulder with the whip. His hind legs should 

 follow the direction of the fore legs, otherwise the 

 pace will be untrue, disunited, and unpleasant, 

 both to horse and rider : therefore, if the horse 

 lead with his near fore leg (unless when cantering 

 to the left — the only case when the near legs 

 should be advanced,) or with his near hind leg, 

 except in the case just mentioned — although he 

 may lead with the proper fore leg — the pace is 

 false, and ought to be rectified. 



When the horse leads with the proper leg, the 

 hand should resume its usual position, the rider 

 observing to make the horse bend a little inwards, 

 by shortening the right rein. The fingers should 

 be softened, if necessary, to let the horse advance, 



