CHAPTER XIII. 



ANTIQUITY AKD HISTORY OF THE PACING HORSE. 



The mechanism of the different gaits The Elgin Marbles Britain becomes a 

 Roman province Pacers in the time of the Romans Bronze horses of 

 Venice Fitz Stephen, the Monk of Canterbury Evidence of the Great 

 Seals What Blundevillesays What Gervaise Markham says What the 

 Duke of Newcastle says The amble and the pace one and the same At 

 the close of Elizabeth's reign The Galloways and Hobbies Extinction of 

 the pacer The original pacer probably from the North Polydore Virgil's 

 evidence Samuel Purchas' evidence The process of wiping out the 

 pacer King James set the fashion All foreign horses called " Arabians " 

 The foreigners larger and handsomer Good roads and wheeled vehicles 

 dispensed with the pacer Result of prompting Mr. Euren Mr. Youatt's 

 blunder Other English gentlemen not convinced there ever vere any 

 pacers. 



IN considering the antiquity and history of the pacing horse, it 

 seems to be necessary that we should have a clear perception of 

 the mechanism of the gait from which he takes his distinctive 

 name and the relation which that mechanism bears to other gaits 

 or means of progression. In the study of this mechanism we 

 learn the combination by which we unlock the mystery that has 

 puzzled so many breeders of the past and. present generations. 

 Some have maintained that the pace is a combination of the trot 

 and the gallop, while a smaller number have maintained that the 

 fast trot was a combination of the pace and the gallop. It is 

 quite evident, as I will be able to show, that neither of these 

 parties has ever given any careful attention and study to the 

 mechanism of the different gaits. The most simple and least 

 complicated method of illustrating this mechanism of movement 

 is furnished in the human means of progression. At the walk, a 

 man steps off with his left foot and the heel of that foot strikes 

 the ground before the toe of the right foot leaves it. Then the 

 right foot advances and strikes the ground before the toe of the 

 left foot leaves it. This is the natural "heel and toe" walk, and 

 the speed may be increased by quickening the step and extending 

 tho stride, so far as physical conformation will permit. Still 



