amble, ambel, aumbel

[From the verb. In Fr. amble; Sp. ambla; Ital. ambio.] The first pace adopted by young colts, but which they quit on becoming able to trot. In an amble, a horse simultaneously moves the fore and hind leg on one side (say the right), whilst those on the other stand still. Then when the legs first moved are again fast on the ground, the other two are simultaneously moved forward. Riding masters discourage the pace, and limit the horses which they train to the walk, the trot, and the gallop. "His steede was al dappul gray, It goth an ambel in the way. Chaucer: C. T., 15,292-8. "Such as have translated begging out of the old hackney-pace to a fine easy amble ."-Ben Jonson: Every Man in his Humour. ăm-blěr, * ăm-blěre, s. [Eng. amble; -er.] A horse which has been taught to amble, a pacer. "A trotting horse is fit for a coach, but not for a lady's saddle; and an ambler is proper for a lady's saddle, but not for a coach."-Howell: Lett ., L., v. 37 "Uppon an amblere esely sche sat." Chaucer: О. Т., 471.