THE GAITS IN PARTICULAR. 559 



Finally, when the restraint is pushed to its utmost limits, the posterior foot 

 marking the first imprint touches the ground behind the corresponding anterior; 

 their separation (depister) is so great (Fig. 252, G) and the stride is so short that 

 the trail is double on both sides ; the horse gallops almost upon place, and the 

 stride is less than half the length of the space covered. 



Between these principal types of the gallop there exist, it is per- 

 ceived, numerous intermediary forms which the skilful horseman can 

 realize by the manner in which his mount is dressed. Masters of riding- 

 schools are nevertheless unable to understand, even at the present time 

 the indications which are best adapted for the production of this or 

 that one ; this is to be regretted, for language renders the explanation 

 of the facts still less intelligible. We are not able to explain these 

 differences and fix their terminology. Suffice it for us to recognize the 

 most important varieties and the dominant part of education in their 

 production. 



Length of the Stride.— The absolute length of the stride of 

 the gallop cannot be established, since it varies with the speed, the 

 form of the horse, the length of his members, his dressing, the manner 

 in which he is held by the rider, etc. 



The trails of Fig. 252 suffice to give an idea of the differences 

 which can be obtained with a horse 1.59 m. to 1.60 m. in height, by 

 the sole influence of restraint, the position of the head, and the velocity 

 of the gait, without the dressing being a very important factor, except 

 in the last two : 



In the trail A the stride is 3.90 ra. 

 B " 3.85 m. 



C " 3.37 m. 



In the trail D the stride is 2.85 ra. 

 E " 2.70 m. 



F " 1.80 m. 



In the trail G the stride is 1.60 m. 



Nevertheless, if its length is not uniform, it oscillates around cer- 

 tain mean figures which should be recognized : 



The cavalry regulation of 1829 fixed it at 3.25 m. According to 

 Captain Raabe, it should be equal to three times that of the base of 

 support, or 3.60 m. for a horse 1.60 m. at the withers. 



Speed. — The speed of the gallop is quite as variable as the 

 length of the stride. All things being equal, it depends upon the 

 variety of the gait studied. It varies from 300 metres per minute, or 

 5 metres per second (cavalry regulation), to 362 metres per minute, or 

 5.44 m. per second (Raabe and Vallon). 



Displacements of the Centre of Gravity. — As Lecoq ^ has 



1 Lecoq, Trait6 de TextSrieur du cheval, 5e 6d., p. 372. 



