148 



THE HORSE 



between the position of the fore and hind-legs of opposite sides. The chief 

 difference between these three varieties of the trot consists in the rapidity 

 of the propulsion which is going on. This in the first is very slight ; and 

 the more elastic the fetlock-joints, the better and softer is this pace. The 



feet are raised, and the legs are rounded or bent ; but the body is not 

 thrust forward, nor are the shoulders moved in the same direction to any 

 appreciable extent. The consequence is, that the feet are deposited again 



very close to the spot from which they are taken, and the pace is as slow 

 as the walk. In the true trot, if it is well performed, the hind-legs must 

 be moved as rapidly as, and with more force than, the fore-legs, because 

 they have more work to do in propelling the body, the latter having only 

 to sustain it during the operation. Good judges, therefore, regard the 

 hind action as of even more importance than that of the knees and 



