2 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



heavy or too light a shoe, or one of bad shape, or the general discom- 

 fort of the harness and of the hitching to cart or sulky. 



Any forced methods, such as whipping, in order to "straighten him 

 out" after irregular action or a break, can hardly come under the head 

 of training and show lack of balance in the man behind the animal 

 rather than in the horse. 



The secret of the American trainer's success with the harness 

 horse lies in his appeal to the animal's moral and mental qualities. 

 Such a course makes the horse reliable and on it hinges more or less 

 the result of a speed contest. To develop this confidence and courage 

 in a horse proper balance is absolutely essential. A square gait alone 

 will conserve muscle and strength, and will increase endurance. Be- 

 sides, there is the spectator's point of view to be considered, because 

 there is nothing as impressive as a horse that goes like a piece of ma- 

 chinery, and the public takes delight in the unswerving regularity and 

 equalized energy of a square gait. 



There are trainers who seem to favor an irregular gait on the 

 score that it rests a horse and that it makes him "catch" his gait more 

 readily after a "break" or run. Skipping behind or rolling in front 

 may favor such a handy "catch" because no time is lost in squaring 

 away again. It really amounts to a questionable means "to get there", 

 but does not constitute an honest effort such as the spectator has a 

 right to demand. The usefulness of the harness horse should not be 

 lost sight of, and all training should be directed toward bringing out 

 the best qualities and teaching the best manners. The sport of speed 

 contests known also under the questionable name, "the game" 

 should be "on the square," and it is therefore to the interest of the 

 cause of the harness horse that he should be trained to a square gait 

 only. 



Every trainer knows what a square gait is. In the course of this 

 discussion on gaits as given in this book it will be shown that a square 

 gait means nothing more nor less than an even and equal extension 

 backward and forward for all the four moving legs of the horse, with 

 two pair of feet striking the ground at equal intervals of time and dis- 

 tance during a given trial. 



