218 THE AMERICAN HORSEWOMAN, 



while the other side moves forward, and so on 

 in alternation. This is an artificial gait, and 

 one to w^hich the horse must usually be trained ; 

 though some horses whose ancestors have been 

 forced to travel in this gait, have themselves 

 been known to amble without any training. In 

 the feudal ages it was the favorite pace for a 

 lady's palfrey, but at the present day it is no 

 longer countenanced by good taste. 



The pace, however, which is so well liked by 

 many ladies in this country, is a kind of amble, 

 although the steps taken are longer. A good 

 pacer can frequently travel faster than most 

 horses can in the trot. When the steed moves 

 easily and w^illingly, the pace is very pleasant 

 for short rides, but for long journeys, unless the 

 animal can change his gait to a hand gallop or 

 a canter, it Avill become very unpleasant and 

 tiresome. Many pacers are almost as rough in 

 their movements as the ordinary trotter ; and 

 although they do not jolt the rider up and down 

 upon the saddle, yet they jerk her body in such 

 a manner as successively and alternately to 

 throw one side forward and the other slightly 

 back with each and every step, rendering a 

 ride for any distance very fatiguing. 



The rack, at one time so much liked, lias be- 

 come almost obsolete. This is a peculiar gait, 



