LOCOMOTOR SYSTEM 627 



The Canter. 



This is a pace entirely different from any previously con- 

 sidered. To make the canter clear, it must be remembered 

 that the body is propelled forward by one fore-leg, and no matter 

 which of the two it may be, it is received on coming to the ground 

 by the opposite or diagonal hind-leg. There is no exception to 

 this rule, which will be found equally true for the gallop. It is 

 well to get this fact clearly established (see Fig. 208)-. In (1) the 

 animal is propelling the body off the ground with the off fore- 

 limb, and in (3) alights on the near or diagonal hind-leg. The 

 importance of the principle of the employment of diagonal legs 

 will be observed ; we have seen it in the walk, it is the essential 

 feature of the whole movement in the trot, and we now meet with 

 it in the canter. The notation of the canter is shown in Fig. 207. 



1 2. 5 4 5 6 7 8 



Fig. 207. — Notation of the Canter. 



It starts from the moment the body is in the air (1), where it has 

 been propelled by the leading fore-leg* — in this case the near. 

 The animal alights on one hind-leg, the off (2), the diagonal to 

 the leading fore-leg ; this is followed by the fore-leg on the same 

 side — viz., the off — coming to the ground (3), so that for a very 

 brief period the body in the canter is supported by lateral legs. 

 The next change is that the fellow hind-leg comes to the ground (4), 

 the body now being supported on one fore and both hind limbs ; 

 the hind-limb which first received the weight is then withdrawn 

 (5), and the animal is left on diagonals. This is followed by the 

 leading fore-leg coming to the ground (6) , so that the body is now 

 supported on both fore-limbs and one hind-limb. The off fore- 

 limb is next withdrawn, and the animal is left on lateral legs (7) ; 

 the near hind is withdrawn, and the horse left on one fore-leg (8), 



* The leading fore-leg in the canter and gallop is the one which gives 

 the final propulsion ; it is the leg which does all the work. When going 

 straight, either fore-leg may lead, and a well-trained horse should be 

 taught to save leg weariness by changing the leading leg. In turning or 

 moving on a circle to the left, the leading leg must always be the left ; 

 similarly, in circling to the right, the leading leg must be the fight. 



