20 



THE HORSE. 



whilst precipitating the gait, since, on augmentation of 

 speed, experience has proved that the projection is of 

 longer duration than the appni. 



In the ordinary trot, the space between the 

 diagonally opposite feet in the air, is the same as that 

 of those which attain the earth in order to rebound. 



At the ordinary gait, the distance between these 

 two toes does not exceed three fourths of the length 

 of the animal, ab=cd : a6=% of ef (figs. 5 and 6). 



In the trot, the beats are at regular intervals, the four 

 feet only acknowledging two ; each diagonal biped, arriv- 

 ing in unison, constitutes but one beat with its two trails. 



The trot is the best gait for covering ground, and 

 for the endurance of a prolonged journey. 



The equilibrium obtaining sufficient stability on the 

 successive diagonal bases, the motion is less fatiguing to 

 the horse and is wholly favourable to its progression. 



In the rapid trot, the neck and head elongate and 

 the tail becomes detached from the croup. 



A horse, of good conformation, on horizontal ground, 

 should, when trotting, place the posterior foot on the 

 trail of the anterior. Numerous experiments convince 

 me that the practice of this gait, although sufficiently 

 lively, generally brings a trail of the posterior member 

 indicated in the rear of the anterior member. It is 

 more or less the difference in this respect which 

 constitutes the small trot, always caused by a too heavy 

 weight, ascending ground or excessive fatigue-. 



Fig. 7. 



In the rapid trot, the trails of the posterior members 

 precede those of the fore-limbs. A speed equal to that 



