412 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
turned outwards nor inwards, nor should the sole be seen hy 
a person standing on either side. In a larger-sized horse, 
the step must be lengthy and regular ; in a smaller, com¬ 
pact horse, it ought to be sharp, active, and springy ; and in 
either the marks produced on the ground by the fore feet 
should be stepped on by those of the hind feet ; if, howevei; 
the animal is wide hipped, the hind feet will rest on the 
outside of the marks left by the fore feet. The head should 
be carried high. 
In trotting, see that the horse does j>ot lift his feet too 
high, and that he places them flatly and firmly on the 
ground, for if the toe first touches the ground, he is liable 
to trip. If the shoe is examined, it will at once indicate 
the part which comes soonest in contact with the ground, 
by being most worn down. Blood-horses never raise their 
feet so well as those of more inferior breeding, and are in 
consequence not so safe to ride upon the road. Their 
action in the trot will, however, be found much more plea¬ 
sant and easy to the rider. Blind horses are almost invari¬ 
ably high steppers, and therefore whenever you find a horse 
lifting his legs very high, it would be prudent to examine 
his eyes carefully. 
Ladies generally prefer horses which go at a canter in¬ 
stead of a trot. Indeed it is a much safer action for them, 
in consequence of their peculiar seat. In the choice of a 
lady’s horse, take care that he has been accustomed to lead 
with both legs ; because he is capable of longer duration, 
and the wear of his feet and shoes will be more equal. In 
the canter the hind legs should be thrown well under the 
body, because it is a minor species of gallop. It will be 
found that horses with an oblique shoulder will perform 
both the canter and gallop better than those which are more 
upright. 
