ioo Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



one at the other end, so as to avoid interference and hence produce a 

 good clean gait. As to the hind attitudes, it may be worth while to 

 note that in trotters the tendency is from Fig. 72-B to Fig. 74-C, and 

 with pacers the tendency is from the attitude in Fig. 72-6 to that of 

 Fig. 73-C ; that is to say, trotters are apt to spread behind, while pacers 

 move hind legs closer together, and vice versa, the fore of the trotter 

 are likely to approach each other, while those of the pacer are apt to 

 separate more. 



The fore in A and B of Fig. 73 represent those of the trotter (as 

 a rule), while the fore in Fig. 74 at A and in Fig. 75 show the tendency 

 of a pacer. The latter, however (Fig. 75), is often also the attitude of 



FIG. 75 



A B 



many fore legs of trotters. There are many exceptions, and what is 

 here stated is but the result of the various experiments, from which 

 generalizations have been made. 



There are also many combinations of attitudes that must be left to 

 the judgment of the trainer for correction, if such be possible. What 

 the lateral extension of all these attitudes is, can only be found by 

 the measurements with reference to the median line, as given in the 

 previous chapter. Or, if this method does not appeal to some, at least 

 the direction or line of motion can be ascertained by the position and 

 outward or inward pointing of the tracks on ground. There is perhaps 

 more lost motion, lost time and lost energy in unnecessary lateral ex- 

 tension than in the action of legs as viewed in profile or from the side ; 

 and, therefore, it is quite as important to accomplish good lateral 



