TROTTERS. 



583 



plays a much larger part in speed at the gallop, than in 

 speed at the trot or " cleverness " in jumping. 



Although early speed in the trotter, is much more 

 common than formerly, it is possessed only by a small 

 percentage of trotting stock, and is very highly valued, 

 because it has been found to be an unerring proof that 

 the speedy youngster is a trotting genius. As the young 



j2SI!!«ia«SWi7 



iv.u.i/ti/j [Thomas Kh.Mi', D jhcuester, Hasp. 



Fig. 570. — Mr. J. Malcolm Forbes's dark brown trotter, Bingen (2.06;^) ; stands 15.3. 



stock of Bingen (Fig. 570) show great capacity to trot 

 fast, they fetch very high prices. Early speed in the 

 thorough-bred is no reliable proof that he will be fast 

 when he is mature, for his conformation, which is the 

 basis of his speed, often changes with years. 



As a rule, the best American trotters vary in height 

 from 15 hands to 15.2. Taller trotters seldom prove 

 to be good campaigners, and consequently American 

 trainers like horses which English hunting men would 



