THE GAITS IN PARTICULAR. 557 



population, it seems logical to consider this gallop as tiie ordinary 

 type, since it is the most natural and the easiest to execute spontane- 

 ously by the largest number. 



These animals, in this state, are little adapted to the service of the 

 saddle, notably of the riding-school. They lack that suppleness which 

 is sought for by horsemen, and without which a mount is unable to 

 obey the rider's wishes ; the different groups of muscles have not yet 

 acquired the functional independence necessary to the required efforts ; 

 the distribution of the weight upon the anterior and posterior quarters 

 exists in such proportions that the lateral displacements are difficult 

 and at times dangerous. 



Hence it is necessary to submit them to a particular dressing in 

 order to modify their conditions of equilibrium. By educating them 

 so as to diminish the base of support and displace the centre of 

 gravity backward ; by giving an elevated attitude to the neck ; by 

 drawing the head backward, we are enabled to endow them with ease 

 and suppleness, and make them perform the most varied movements. 

 When thus educated, they execute a very different gallop from the pre- 

 ceding, its primitive type being changed as to rhythm, cadence, and 

 mode of association of the members. Even if the speed be less, this 

 gallop possesses a very superior grace and elegance. 



The trails, under these conditions, become at times very dissimilar ; 

 with a little attention, however, the characters of an evident uniformity 

 of construction can be recognized, and, being given the common cause 

 of their modification, it is easy to discover the transitions which unite 

 the diverse terms of the series which the trails constitute. 



It is the projection which first diminishes and renders its distance less, as well 

 as the diagonal base (Fig. 252, B and C) ; finally, the posterior foot marking the 

 first contact is less separated from its anterior diagonal, which makes the last beat. 



Then the projection disappears and is replaced by a simple suspension. 

 The distance of projection {mepister) is null (Fig. 252, D); the fore and hind 

 imprints are arranged side by side ; the posterior foot marking the first contact, 

 falls upon the same transverse line as its diagonal anterior; the length of the 

 step is exactly equal to the distance passed over during the three contacts. 



If the animal be more restrained (Fig. 252, E), he falls behind the imprint 

 of the anterior right foot, which marks the third contact ; the trail shows a suc- 

 cession of steps which overlap each other in consequence of a more or less con- 

 siderable separation (depister) ; the step, in this case, is somewhat shorter than 

 the space of ground covered. 



In a still higher degree of restraint (Fig. 252, F), the posterior foot marking 

 the first imprint is superposed upon the imprint of the corresponding anterior ; 

 the trail, double on one side, then becomes single on the other ; the space cov- 

 ered exceeds much the length of the stride. 



