134 The Canter. 



The gallop when disunited and when extended 

 to speed, even though the horse is supple and just 

 on his legs, loses its harmony and regularity of 

 time. In these cases, the fore legs measure less 

 space from each other, and so do the hind legs, 

 which make the beats quicker in each, and leaves 

 a space between the beats of the fore legs, and 

 the beats of the hind. In these gallops, it would 

 be highly imprudent to circle, or turn, but on a 

 very large scale. 



Begin, therefore, in a medium way, neither too 

 rapid nor too slow. Be sure to keep the hands 

 up, rather above than below the elbow, and quite 

 steady, that you may feel the cadence of every 

 step, and the support your hand gives. If you 

 feel the action declining, correct it instantly, be- 

 fore worse disorder takes place, by an animating 

 touch of the fingers, the leg, or the whip. The 

 hand first discovers any disorder or relinquishment 

 going to take place, and consequently is the first 

 to correct it. 



Horses, when broke, in many instances, discover 

 the ineflicacy of the rider's hand, particularly in 

 the gallop round the riding house. If the hand 

 be not attentive, the horse will break his ground 

 at the ends: he will not only evade filling the 

 corners, but will circle without going to the extent 



