CHAPTER XXXII. 

 THE ROADSTER OR LIGHT-HARNESS HORSE. 



The roadster or light-harness horse is distinctly an Ameri- 

 can type, or strictly speaking, it is a breed the American Trot- 

 ter or Standardised. The light-harness horse is a pleasure horse 

 exclusively; his domain includes the regular race tracks, where 

 he is used for professional racing, and also the city speedways 

 and snowpaths, and country roadways, where amateur racing 

 and road driving 'are indulged in by men who admire the trot- 

 ting horse and seek recreation in the open air. 



The light-harness type and the sport of harness racing 

 originated in and about Philadelphia at the beginning of the 

 nineteenth century, at which time roads were improved and 

 made suitable for pleasure driving. This type is the result of 

 Yankee skill and genius applied to horse breeding. The Ameri- 

 can Trotter is a wonderful production, and closely rivals the 

 running horse in point of speed. Large numbers have been 

 exported to Europe, especially to Russia, Germany, and Austria, 

 where harness racing is becoming increasingly popular. 



This type is styled "light-harness type" because, on both 

 road and track, the horse works in light-weight harness that 

 is quite in contrast to the heavy leather worn by the heavy- 

 harness horse. The harness is light because the vehicles to 

 which this horse is put are very light in weight. In professional 

 racing, the bike sulky is used, which weighs from 27 to 35 pounds; 

 in matinee racing, the vehicle used is a light speed wagon, having 

 four wheels but of the same general construction as the sulky, 

 and weighing only 65 to 68 pounds. On the road, the hitch 

 is to a light wagon weighing about 175 pounds, which may have 

 a top much like the common piano-box buggy. For snow rac- 

 ing, a specially constructed speed sleigh is used, weighing a 

 little less than 100 pounds. 



The extensive use of the light-harness horse in professional 

 racing is well known, and there has also been a large demand 

 for this horse in amateur racing. Many Americans have de- 

 rived great pleasure from owning and driving fast trotters. 

 Driving clubs have been organized in many cities and towns for 

 the conduct of matinee racing during the summer and fall, and 



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