THE TROT 195 



THE TROT 



There are three forms of trotting recognized by horsemen, and described 

 as the slow or short, the common or ordinary, and the fast or flying trot. 

 In the first the prints of the hind-feet respectively are found in rear of 

 those made by the corresponding front ones ; in the second they cover or 

 slightly overlap ; and in the third there is a period of suspension intervening 

 between the right and left diagonal movement. The movements concerned 

 in this pace may be described as alighting, support, leaving, suspension, and 

 coming down on opposite diagonals. 



The same amount of work being required of both front and hind limbs 

 in the trot, a horse can maintain a comparatively fast rate of speed for a 

 longer time at this pace than at any other. The diagonal supports of the 

 trot facilitate the maintenance of equilibrium, and for this reason give the 

 trot an advantage over the amble and canter, in both of which it is more 

 considerably displaced (Plate LVIII). 



THE AMBLE 



In this pace, which may be described as one of two time, there is 

 scarcely any suspension, unless it is pushed to that form known in America 

 as "pacing", when (from examination of the best photographs hitherto 

 produced) there appears to be an undoubted period of suspension. Pro- 

 gression in this gait is brought about by the alternate movement of the 

 left and right pair of legs, or, of course, of the right and left. 



THE CANTER 



The canter is an intermediate pace between the amble and the gallop. 

 It is a movement of three time, the entire weight resting momentarily on 

 one or other hind-lea;. 



The order in which the feet come to the ground, supposing the right 

 hind is supporting the animal alone, will be as follows: — 1, right hind; 

 2, right fore and left hind; 3, left fore, with or without a brief period of 

 suspension before the right hind is brought down. 



Photographs of heavy horses (80th of a second exposure) leave us under 

 the impression that there is no period of suspension whatever ; but a well- 

 bred lady's hack, schooled to the pace, proves that there is such a period in 

 the more elastic members of the equine family. 



The canter is an easy pace to the rider, but, save as a relief to some 



