512 



THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



trot that in which the posterior imprints surpass the corresponding 

 anterior. 



In the last two cases the trail is double on both sides. 



FIG. 204. The leaped trot; left diagonal 

 contact. 



FIG. 205. The leaped trot; projection. 



The gait, however, assumes a peculiar disposition according as the 

 body, in the course of the complete evolution of the step, remains in 



contact with the soil or is sepa- 

 rated a little before each diagonal 

 contact. It then takes the char- 

 acter of piarched or leaped. In 

 general, the short trot is marched, 

 particularly when the animal is in 

 harness. Nevertheless, it may be 

 leaped, as when the horse, urged 

 by the voice, the whip, or the legs, 

 is prevented from producing the 

 acceleration of speed thus indi- 

 cated. It is often observed at the 

 riding-school in horses held in the 

 " gathered-up" attitude ; also in very ardent and nervous draught-horses 

 that are too fiery at starting and are held back. 



Figs. 204, 205, and 206 represent precisely the three principal phases 

 of this modification of the short trot, from instantaneous photographs 

 by M. Ottomar Anschiitz, of Lissa. 



The ordinary and the long trots are always leaped. This is due to 

 the fact that the fore-foot must necessarily be raised before the corre- 

 sponding hind-foot touches the ground, under penalty of wounds from 

 the latter, and to permit the latter to cover or to pass over the imprints 

 of the former. As at this moment the diagonal members are in the 

 air, the body remains without contact for an instant. 



FIG. 206. The leaped trot; right diagonal 

 contact. 



