more bent than the near ones, and consequently their upward action is better marked and their spring more energetic.^[1]

If we canter to the right, a horse which has an unsound off hock, caused, for instance, by a spavin or curb, he will immediately become disunited, on account of the movement causing him pain. But if we make him canter with the near fore leading, he will not change his hind legs.

The off hock therefore exerts more force in the canter to the right, and the near hock in the canter to the left. On this account, the rider ought to keep his legs firmly closed, especially during the second period of the canter. By doing this, the hock which is under the body, is quickened in its action, the horse is pressed forward, and is prevented, at the second period of the canter, from remaining longer on the ground than at the first or third period. If we do not act thus, the second period will be slower and heavier than the other two.

VOLTES AND DEMI-VOLTES AT THE CANTER.

When I have taught a horse to canter in a light and easy way, I make him do great voltes. It is best to describe large circles at first, because it is more difficult to keep a horse straight in small ones.

Horses generally carry their haunches either to the outside or to the inside ; the former fault being more easy to remedy than the latter.

Let us suppose that the horse is cantering with the off fore leading and is turning to the right. After having closed the legs, I carry the hands forward and to the right, — forward to prevent him stopping, and to the right to bring his shoulders