472 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



thigh, and the leg, strong and wide in the hocks, well muscled, but 

 relatively light in the hind-quarters. 



When we come to speak of vicious horses, we will complete the 

 other details which it is necessary to know concerning kicking. 



PART II. 



MODE OF PROGRESSION, OR THE GAITS OF THE HORSE. 



CHAPTER I. 



GENERALITIES OF THE GAITS. 



Definition. — The name gaits {allures, from the French aller, to 

 go) is given to the diverse modes in which progression is accomplished 

 by the play of the locomotory members. 



Applied to the horse, their study is of great interest. It enables 

 one to appreciate the force which the animal expends, the speed which 

 he employs, and the regularity with which he executes these move- 

 ments. Equestrianism draws from it rational principles for dressing 

 the horse ; the artist deduces important facts for the true representation 

 of the attitudes and the movements ; the horseman is taught to recog- 

 nize his beauties and defects ; the veterinarian, finally, from a thorough 

 knowledge of their mechanism, their irregularities, and their patho- 

 logical modifications, is assisted in his diagnosis, and can deduce from 

 them important therapeutic indications. 



Divisions. — The gaits are divided into : 



Natural, when they are executed in a spontaneous and instinctive 

 manner without any special education. Example, the walk, the trot, 

 the gallop, at times the amble, and the running walk. 



Acquired or artificial, when they result, on the contrary, from a 

 special dressing. Example, the amble, broken amble, running walk, 

 trot, and racing gallop. 



Both may be either marched or leaped. 



They are called marched, when the body does not cease to be in 

 ?ontact with the ground during their execution ; leaped, when it leaves 



