THE PACES OF THE HORSE 175 



with the heel well down, and the ball of the foot pressing 

 on the foot-piece of the stirrup, so that the elasticity of the 

 ankle takes oft' the jar, and prevents the double rise which 

 in some rough horses is very apt to be produced. The 

 knees should alwa37s be maintained exactly in the same 

 place, without that shifting motion which is so common with 

 bad riders, and the legs should be held perpendicularly from 

 the knees downwards, the chest well forward, the waist in, 

 and the loins nearly upright, but slightly forward, and as 

 easily as can be effected without effort on the part of the 

 rider, rather restraining than adding to the throw of the 

 horse. 



The military style, without rising, is effected by leaving 

 the body as much as possible to find its own level. The 

 knees should not cling to the saddle, the foot should not 

 press forcibly upon the stirrup, and the hands should not 

 bear upon the bridle. By attending to these negative 

 directions, the rider has only to lean very slightly back 

 from the perpendicular, and preserve his balance, when 

 practice will do the rest. 



The Canter. — The canter, as we see it in the park hack 

 and lady's horse, is an artificial pace. The exertion is less 

 than the gallop, the pace slower, the spring less distant, and 

 the feet come to ground in almost regular succession. In 

 the gallop of speed the legs are simultaneous in their move- 

 ment ; in the canter, the reverse. In the slow gallop, too, 

 there is a period when all the legs are in the air ; in the 

 canter this never occurs. He has always a point of contact 

 with the ground. First, the horse puts his off' hind leg a 

 little in advance of the near leg ; at the same time he lifts 

 the forehand and then drops the near fore leg on the 

 ground, and throws the off leg forward and beyond it, 

 following the near leg instantly, by bringing the former to 

 the earth. 



In riding the canter, the rider should have a light and 

 firm feeling of both reins to raise his horse's forehand; at 

 the same time, with a pressure of both calves, to bring the 

 animal's quarters well under him, having a double feeling 

 of the inward rein, and a strong pressure of the outward 

 leg, to cause him to strike oft' in unison. 



At all times the horse should be taught to lead off with 

 eitlier fore leg ; by doing so his legs will not be so much 

 shaken, especially the oft" fore leg, which is the one he most 



