DEFECTS IN THE GAITS. 577 



D. Defects existing simultaneously "j 



or separately in the anterior I 1st. Rocking. 

 quarters or in the posterior f 2d. Strain of the loins. 

 quarters. 



f 1st. Billarder. 



E. Defects existing indiscriminately 1 2d Interferingt 



in the four members. 3d 



Having thus classified the defects, we will study each one in par- 

 ticular. 



A. Defects existing in the Anterior Members Alone. 



When, during locomotion, the anterior members move too close 

 along the ground or rise excessively ; when their segments are not 

 extended and flexed with the quickness and to the extent which their 

 mode of association requires, the gaits assume some particular forms 

 which render them ungraceful, slow, uncertain, and even dangerous to 

 the animal, his driver, or his rider. 



1st. Dragging the Toe. It is said that the horse drags his toe, 

 scrapes the floor, when his anterior feet are raised with difficulty during 

 the evolution of the step. Horses which have pegged (cold) shoulders 

 and stiffened members ; those which are worn out or exhausted ; finally, 

 young animals (colts), during the first period of their life, present more 

 especially this defect. It predisposes them to strike the roughnesses 



FIG. 269. Instantaneous photograph of draught-horses moving a heavy load. 



of the ground, and, consequently, to stumble, make false steps, or fall. 

 It may be caused to disappear by proper dressing, but not, however, 

 if it be the result of hard work. 



It is particularly in the trot, the walk, the amble, and the broken 

 amble that this defect is apparent. Horsemen, nevertheless, apply 

 this expression to horses which gallop close to the ground. It seems 

 that the same disadvantages result in all instances. This defect is 

 ordinarily all the more grave as the gait in which it appears has 



37 



