THE PACE, OR AMBLE. 27& 



possible at riglit angles with the line of travel. If the 

 horse lead with the left foot, his body w^ill be inclined a 

 little to the right, or if he lead with the right foot it will 

 be inclined a little to the left. In either case, the rider 

 should face the direction in which he is going, rather than 

 the direction of the horse's body. 



As there is more motion on that side of the horse which 

 ifl leading, the rider's foot of that side will be more inclined 

 than the other to sway with the horse's step ; this should, 

 as far as possible, be avoided, as inelegant and insecure. 

 The body of the rider should be. perpendicular, — or, in the 

 language of Baucher, every part of the body should rest on 

 the part next below it, and the weight should be thrown 

 somewhat into the stirrups, as being less fatiguing to the 

 horse than when borne entirely by the seat. 



The thighs should in all cases grasp the horse, but not 

 with so much power as to render him uncomfortable, — a 

 frequent error with strong men. 



In the gallop the motion of the horse is very much in- 

 creased, and there is proportionately greater necessity foi 

 the observance of the foregoing suggestions. 



For further information concerning the different pace^ 

 the reader is referred to the chapter on Baucher's system 

 of training horses for the saddle. 



The Pace, or Amble, is a gait which is not recognized 

 in the art of Equitation, and which demands no special 

 attention here, inasmuch as particular instructions with re- 

 gard to it are not required after what has been said on the 

 general subjects of the "Seat," "Hands," etc. 



While pacing horses are in active demand for the sad- 

 dles of middle-aged beginners, and although the gait has 

 the sole and questionable advantage of being " as easy as 

 a rocking-chair," it may not be amiss to say that the sidling 

 movement and boring mouth of this class of horses, and 



