50 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



Now, looking down the columns marked "stride" we shall see 

 distinct variations from this general average stride. The proper way 

 of computing the general average is by arranging all strides according 

 to the fore and hind feet and near and off side, then adding each of 

 the four columns and dividing the total by 80, which is the total of the 

 20 strides of all the four feet. Fig. 36 presents such an arrangement 

 of strides and their variations. The strides are easily arranged from 

 Fig. 34, and adding all four columns of 1 strides we have as a total 

 I 539- 2 5> which divided by 80 gives 19.24 ft. as the average stride. 

 Applying this average to each stride of each leg we shall find either 

 an excess or a deficiency from that average, such excess being marked 

 plus (-{-) or over, and such deficiency being marked minus ( ) or 

 under such average. These, being placed in special columns, are the 

 variations from stride. It will be seen that the strides are far from 

 being even measurements, but are subject rather to the condition of 

 ground and to the various exertions of the mare when at speed. But in 

 spite of variations the stride of each leg must be the same or nearly 

 so. We cannot have a long stride in front and a short stride behind, 

 or vice versa. Therefore, the error often committed by pen and 

 tongue that the stride should be shortened either behind or in front by 

 means of a certain style of shoeing is very misleading. What is really 

 meant is the shortening of forward extension. I shall have occasion 

 to touch upon that point again. 



Now, I have found that in nearly all cases (and there were many) 

 the total scope of variations indicates this : 



(1) In fore legs the greater total variation belongs to or occurs 

 in the stronger leg; and 



(2) In the hind legs the greater total variation belongs to or 

 occurs in the weaker leg. 



By "total variation" is meant the entire scope of such + and 

 variations for the 20 strides, as the figures under the variations indicate. 

 This is like adding same by arithmetic and disregarding the plus and 

 minus signs, which latter are only to show the total extensions over 

 and below the average stride. But if, furthermore, we divide the total 

 variations as they stand by 20 we shall obtain the tendency of each 

 stride with reference to the average stride. 



