RIGIN OF AMERICAN TROTTING HORSES 133 



For fast trotting a far-reaching even gait is required, and 

 this necessitates a long forearm with a short cannon-bone 

 below the knee. A horse possessing the contrary shape is 

 almost sure to Hft his knee too high and bang his feet on 

 the ground unduly hard, with the result that he is unable 

 to continue the effort over a long distance or for any length 

 of time, though from being endowed with great energy he 

 may even show superior speed for short distances. For 

 trotting purposes there may be too little bending of the 

 knee, but a far more likely evil, and one more frequently 

 met with, is that there is too much. 



Mr. Helm gives some interesting measurements of various 

 horses which should be valuable as indicating what the 

 breeder should aim at. The forearm of Volunteer measured 

 21 inches and his cannon 11:^. Almont measured 21 and 

 11, " and the common objection against his stock was that 

 they lacked in knee action, while Thorndale, with his 11| 

 and 20J, has far-reaching yet rounding action of his front 

 legs, lifting his knees and slightly bending them — about as 

 pleasing in that respect as the most fastidious eye could 

 demand." 



Again he observes : "In those descended from St. 

 Lawrence, measuring about 11| and 21, I have found, with 

 unvarying uniformity, a far-reaching, gently curving, but 

 never hard-pounding action of the front feet, that can hardly 

 be surpassed." 



Of course no absolute rule can be laid down as to exact 

 measurements required, but it would appear that approxi- 

 mately a cannon of 11^ inches and a forearm of 21 is very 

 near perfection. 



Special families have had their own peculiarities of action. 

 For instance, the Messengers were noted for little knee- 

 action, a consequence of their long forearms and short 

 cannon-bones ; while the Morgans, on the contrary, were 

 remarkable for high action. Smuggler too, had very high 

 knee action, and his front cannon-bone measured 12 inches, 

 while his forearm was 20 J. Mr. Helm states : " He lifts his 

 knees, apparently, higher than his elbow . . . and the vio- 

 lence with which he brings them to the ground is shown in 



