20 



STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 



taneous beats of the diagonal pair, the liind foot striking first 

 and causing four beats, although following in such rapid suc- 

 cession as to be distinguished with difficulty. 



Canter is a restrained gallop in which tlie weight is sustained 

 chiefly by the hindquarters, the lightened forehand rising and 

 falling in a high, bounding fashion, the gait being executed in 

 a slow, collected, rhythmical way, on eitlier lead at command. 

 Since the canter, like the galloj), imposes a special wear on the 

 leading forefoot and its diagonal hind, the lead should be changed 

 frequently. AVhen the simultaneous beat is of a lateral instead 

 nf a diagonal pair of feet, and falls between the successive beats 



Fig. 16. — The pace, a lateral gait of extreme extension and rapidity of stride. 



of the other lateral pair, the leading fore and hind on the same 

 side, it constitutes a cross or hdcral canter, and is productive of 

 a twisting motion to one in the saddle. 



Jump, whether high or broad, is accomplished by the forelegs 

 raising the forehand at the take-off^, thus bringing the body in line 

 with the direction in which the jump is to be taken, when a 

 strong, propulsive effort of the hindquarters carries it over or 

 across, as the case may be (Fig. 18). In alighting, the forefeet 

 come in contact with the ground first and almost simultaneously, 

 the leading foot being a little in advance, after which the horse 

 quickly gathers himself in a stride to avoid the hind feet, which 

 follow quickly and strike the ground slightly ahead of the im- 

 prints of the forefeet. 



