Florida's gait. 207 



not return for ten days, and then came in the rain and sleet, when the 

 ground was covered with ice and snow. I can not say what prepara- 

 tion the horse ma}^ have had for a show of speed, but should suppose 

 hone whatever. Standins- bv the roadside, with mv umbrella over mv 

 head, I saw a man mount his bare back, with nothing- on but a bridle, 

 and, on the public highway, for a space of about 1,000 feet, up and 

 down an icy road, partly covered with snow, and in the worst possible 

 state for such a trial, I saw such a display of speed and ready trotting 

 action as I have not witnessed anywhere else. I must do justice to 

 all; but I must say that this horse has all the qualities of a genuine 

 race-horse, and seems ready at all times for a trot that would be hard 

 to surpass. Although the road was uneven, and the horse slipped for 

 many feet at a time in places, he certainly showed me a gait equal to 

 2:30 or better, and under a state of circumstances that, to my mind, 

 was most convincing that he was a genuine trotter. To describe his 

 gait is a task of some difficulty. It is the same in its form and type 

 as that of the Cromwell filly, above referred to. It is a rapid gait — 

 consisting of rapid motions — does not appear to be far-reaching or 

 dwelling, but all the feet are picked up rapidly, thrown out from the 

 body slightly sidewise, and come down with a shar]3, chopping stroke, 

 much calling to mind the motion of the prairie chicken, or other short- 

 winged birds, ia their flight in a straight line from the beholder. 

 Standing front or rear you seem to see all the feet in the air at once, 

 but not at great elevation; and the body rocks, or sways, gently and 

 very slightly, and goes forward like an arrow from a bow. The mo- 

 tion is sharp, quick and vigorous, but not violent or demonstrative. It 

 seems to involve more muscular action of the limbs and body than 

 the Abdallah gait, but not so great an expenditure of power or outlay 

 of strength as the Clay or Patchen gait. To the eye it is a motion 

 that is full of rapture and beauty. The horse seems to go on short 

 wings, but with a wonderfully steady motion, in a straight line, and 

 with perfect poise of body. The Abdallah gait seems to be one tliat 

 you can best see as it passes alongside the beholder, or as it recedes 

 gently in the distance while passing. The real poetry of the Bell- 

 founder gait must be seen while the animal is approaching or going 

 from you. It is then you can best see his stifles and elbows in true 

 line, and all four of his feet seemingly in the air at the same time, 

 and you can see the lines of his hocks and elbows, and those of his 

 fore and hind feet, all at the same time and in perfect line. When 



thus seen, the trotter is a piece of machinery rarely excelled in any 

 14 



