1 88 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



draft horses when they start a heavy load. It all depends on condi- 

 tions and is largely due to conformation. As a rule, however, an in- 

 crease of speed will separate the extremities a little more than usual, 

 and if no excess results it seems quite natural for the horse to do so. 



Such greater separation with increased speed is observed when 

 forging ceases at a faster gait; but again the decreased distance or 

 faulty approach of extremities shows itself in speedy-cutting. I be- 

 lieve that the proper distance between hind and fore is worthy of study 

 and consideration, for it is really an important indicator of a good 

 gait and enters largely into the question of balance, with a view to con- 

 tinued soundness. 



The telling effect of weight is, of course, more readily accom- 

 plished by greater speed. What six additional ounces may cause at a 

 four-minute gait, three ounces may do at a gait of two minutes and 

 twenty seconds. 



Elsewhere I have explained the auxiliary importance of finding 

 the variations of the actual strides of the four feet from the general 

 average stride in order to see which legs are more active or more 

 regular. The smaller in scope these variations are, that is, the less 

 they exceed or fall short of the average stride, the greater must be the 

 regularity of that gait. While the case last considered showed the 

 effect of weight and would in time have shown a more correct and 

 even extension, these variations were quite excessive. Here it is where 

 variations indicate a fault or unsoundness that incapacitate the animal 

 from continuing a racing career. The subject at a stride of 17.24 ft. 

 showed the following variations from that average: 



Near fore. Off fore. Near hind. Off hind. 



+ 545 545 + 5-93 5-^4 + 8.96 7.16 + 5.61 5.91 



Total Scope. 

 10.90 11.77 16.12 11.52 



proving according to the rule in Chapter IV. that off fore is the 

 stronger leg because of its greater variations, and off hind is the 

 stronger leg because of its lesser variations. In fact, the near hind 



