12 THE HORSE. 



CHAPTER III. 



GAITS. 



It will perhaps be useful to commence this study with 

 the inspection of those characteristics which usually 

 constitute force and energy in the horse, the beauty of 

 form affording indication of the capabilities which can be 

 developed, as will also the analysis of the head, trunk, and 

 members. It is preferable primarily to consider the 

 animal in motion ; in short, to describe its different 

 modes of locomotion, of which the mimUice of succession 

 and spontaneity constitute the gaits. There are three 

 which are termed natural — the walk, the trot and the 

 gallop — and it may be said that these are the only ones 

 of which the object is forward progression. 



The progression especially takes place upon the 

 appuis which establish the diagonal bases : they are the 

 closest to the centre of gravity. 



The position of separation of the lateral bases placing 

 itself in equilibrium outside the line of aftpui, the duration 

 is barely perceptible to the eye, whilst the diagonal base, 

 passing the axis of the centre of gravity, offers solidity and 

 appears to possess a longer duration. 



In progression, the rapidity of the play of the mem- 

 bers is the greater because of the increased instability of 

 the equilibrium. Therefore the walk is the slowest gait, 

 the weight of the body being supported upon two members 

 resting on the ground, either diagonally or laterally. 



In the trot, the exertion of the diagonal biped drives 

 the body forward and causes it to quit the earth. 



Finally, in the gallop, the animal, at first sustained by 

 a single foot, is next supported by two and is lastly 

 projected in the air by a final impetus from the foot on 

 which the horse is said to gallop. 



