PACES OF THE HORSE. 



trot Is distributed between one hind and one fore leg, it (or, 

 possibly, the amble) should be used, when practicable, for 

 going over hard ground, in preference to the canter, and still 

 more so to the gallop. 



The Amble. — A few horses naturally adopt this pace 

 in preference to the trot ; but it is an artificial one with 

 the majority of amblers. MM. Goubaux and Barrier tell us 

 that some foals begin at the amble, and that they do not 

 learn to trot until later, when they have acquired age and 

 strength. These eminent French authorities also point out 

 that it sometimes happens that horses which were formerly 

 good trotters, take to ambling at the decline of their life, on 

 account of their legs becoming worn out. 



The amble is a pace of two time, and consists of the 

 alternate movement, in progression, of the right and left (or 

 left and right) pair of legs. In Figs. 48 to 52, which depict 

 what we might call the flying amble, there is a period of 

 suspension between each stroke. This fast amble is known 

 in America as "pacing." There is little or no period of 

 suspension in the ordinary amble. The amble is a very easy 

 pace for the rider, but is unpopular (why, I cannot tell) in 

 England. The slow amble (the " tripple ") is the favourite pace 

 among the Dutch farmers in South Africa. Baron de Curnieu 

 [Lemons cTHygicne Hippiqtie G^izcrale) tells us that Napo- 

 leon I. was accustomed to ride amblers during his campaigns, 

 when he had to go long distances at a fast pace. If a horse 

 takes readily to the amble, his rider will find it a comfortable 

 method of travelling. The remarks I have made on page 97 

 et seq. with reference to the merits of trotting, apply equally 

 well to ambling, with the exception that the equilibrium of 



