198 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN. 



it is also less tiresome for the animal, because 

 while two legs are diagonally off the ground, 

 the other two support the weight of his body, 

 and thus one pair alternately and quickly re- 

 lieves the other. 



There are three varieties of trot, namely, the 

 jog trot, the flying or racing trot, and the true 

 or even trot. In the jog trot each foot is placed 

 nearly in the same track it occupied before it 

 was raised, though somewhat in advance of it, 

 and it remains upon the ground a longer time 

 than when raised in the air, thus rendering the 

 gait almost as slow as the walk. If the horse 

 be young and spirited, he will prefer this gait 

 to that of the walk, and, if permitted, will natu- 

 rally adopt it. This should be guarded against, 

 and under no circumstances should he be al- 

 lowed to break into a jog trot ; because, how- 

 ever accomplished the rider may be, she will 

 find it a very unpleasant and excessively fa- 

 tiguing gait, and one which will make her look 

 very awkward. This variety of trot, however, 

 occasions less injury to the horse's feet and legs 

 than any other gait, and, on this account, it is 

 preferred by most farmers. 



In the racing or flying trot, the horse is al- 

 lowed to step out without the least constraint, 

 the legs being extended as far as possible, and 



