18 HORSE SENSE. 



If the American people had given the attention to this type of ani- 

 mals, rather than to speed without regard to type, then we would have 

 today ideality in form, grandure in style, intelligence almost human, size 

 to suit the varied tastes and poetry of motion. Cut No. lo is a good 

 representation of Conquerer Star, two-year-old record, 2:2;^ — sired by the 

 great Nelson, record 2:09 trotting. His dam. Bright Star, by Star- 

 light. His grand dam, Violet, by Volunteer. His great-grand sire, 

 Tom Rolfe. a son of the famous Pocahontas, that took a pacing record 

 to wagon nearly fifty years ago of 2:i7li. We have here a combina- 

 tion of Hambletonian, Mambrino Chief, and Morgan blood, with the 

 pacer added, which today is so harmoniously intermingled with the 

 trotting strains, that by the form of the animal there is no telling whether 

 the gait will be of the trot or pace. It may be either or both, with a 

 good prospect of additional speed added. The two gaits of today are 

 interchangable. 



AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE. 



That this high class of special creation of American origin is des- 

 tined to become very popular among the wealthy classes there is no 

 question. 



The American saddle horse is one of the very best organized ani- 

 mals of the different types, all things considered, and is a creation of 

 beauty in outline, graceful in movement, intelligent akin to human, 

 and more capable in the use and action of his legs than all others of 

 the equine race. 



AMERICAN SADDLE HORSE'S ABILITY TO CHANGE OF 

 GAITS. 



The use of the legs in going different gaits, is more remarkable with 

 the saddle bred horse than any other. He seems to be endowed with 

 the ability of instantly changing from one gait to another without hinder- 

 ance or falter in movement. With the best specimens of saddle bred 

 horses, the different gaits are clear and distinct, and free from friction. 

 The plain walk is flat-footed and smooth; the fast walk (running walk, 

 or fox-trot) is easy and without constraint; the trot, is a line movement; 

 the 'rack, is steady and free from what would be called force, and with- 

 out a pacing movement; the canter, is slow and clear, without shufHe 

 and performed with either foot in the lead. The quality of the horse 

 is fine, substance tseosonable, weight in proportion to height, with evi- 

 dence of endurance'',and good manners; much of the latter acquired by 

 a proper education, which is only a demonstration of ability to go the 

 different gaits and the instructor, to show when and how they should 

 be performed. Illustration seen in cut No. 11, is that of Black Squirrel 

 2nd, and shows a typical animal of the type. Strong at every point, 

 style fi-ont and rear, with a faultless "running gear" — feet and legs — 

 which insures safety of seat, fearlessness in action, with courage and 



