l62 



ORDINARY RIDING. 



only support. At this moment horses usually make mistakes, 

 and are apt to fall if they are not supported. 



Of course I point out only the chief " aids." We under- 

 stand that the hands and legs should always co-operate with 

 each other. 



It might appear, after what I have just said, that the near 

 hind is the leg which becomes most fatigued at a canter to the 

 right. In fact, this is the usual opinion of many of those who 

 have written on this subject. Nothing could be more 



Fig. 45. — Third time of the canter ; ofif fore in support. 



erroneous ; because the off hock, being under the body and 

 having to raise all the weight, does the most work during each 

 stride, which is a fact beyond dispute. I am aware that the 

 near hock, being placed at the end of the arm of the lever, is 

 under a much less favourable condition for action. But 

 precisely because the position which the off hock occupies 

 under the body, is more favourable to the complete utilisation 

 of its force, it makes a greater effort than the near hock, and 

 consequently it becomes more fatigued. If we attentively 

 watch a horse which is cantering with his off fore leading, we 

 will quickly see that the off hock and fetlock become much 



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