THE CANTER. iS5 



advance at the moment they come on the ground. In the 

 canter to the left, the left legs do this. 



To teach a horse to canter on the off fore, we ought 

 to close both legs, carry both hands to the left, and feel 

 the off reins a little stronger than the near reins.* In 

 this way we put the weight on the near shoulder, without 

 bringing to the left the head, which should always remain 

 straight, with the end of the muzzle slightly inclined to the 

 right. 



As soon as a horse has learned to keep in a good 

 position, he should be put into movement. The hind 

 quarters, which act the part of a propeller, ought to push 

 and carry the fore hand forward. To bring the hocks 

 under the body, I increase the effect of the legs, while 

 pressing equally with them. Finally, I use a stronger 

 pressure with my left leg, and I carry it a little further 

 back than my right one.i" 



If the horse has some " go " in him, the effect of the legs 

 will be sufficient to send him up to the hands (bridle). At 

 this moment, I raise my hands while feeling the reins, and I 

 profit by the impulse given by the legs, to raise the horse, 

 while preventing him extending himself and breaking into a 

 trot. If the horse is sluggish, we should prolong and increase 

 the action of the legs, and if need be, we should use the 

 spurs. 



Under these conditions, it is difficult for the horse not to 

 lead off with the off fore. It may however happen that he 

 leads off with the near fore, or trots. In either case, I stop 

 him as quickly as possible, and I replace him in the position I 

 have previously described. I then begin again, and continue 



* I always begin by using the snaffle, whatever may be the pace I am 

 teaching. 



t By means of the left leg, the rider throws, so to speak, the weight of the 

 horse's body on his right leg, which sends it to the hands. 



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