GENERAL EXAMINATION 19 



and its driver the feeling is that of flight instead of power in 

 motion. The difference in the feeling resulting from follow- 

 ing the movement of these two classes of horses might be 

 better expressed by reference to the difference in the feeling 

 that one has when standing beside a swift turning windmill, 

 as compared with the effects of observing the turn of a pon- 

 derous water wheel. The former takes advantage of every 

 breath of wind and speeds a merry clip without apparent 

 exertion or strength; the other impresses one at once with 

 its power and in a lesser degree with its combination of 

 strength and speed. 



24. The Trotter — Speed and Stamina. The leading fea- 

 ture of the action of the trotter is speed at the trotting gnit, 

 but there are many others that must be companions of this 

 to result in the greatest development and the chief of these 

 is stamina or the ability to maintain the necessary ^ait. 

 It is generally thought that if a horse has speed he has the 

 one essential necessary to make a trotter or a good road 

 horse. Not only is speed desirable but there must be a true 

 balance of parts, that insures their protection together with 

 trueness of stride. Being true and level gaited guarantees 

 ths greatest durability and that with an ambitions turn of 

 mind give us that very desirable quality in the trotter, 

 termed " gameness " or stamina. Of all features of the trot- 

 ter's action it must be the most evident that it is not in the 

 least wasteful of energy. While that of the carriage horse 

 or high stepper must display effort, the trotter should move 

 so as to leave the least impression of this. 



Less roll to the knee, more propulsion from the stifle and 

 less motion in the hocks carries the trotter forward closer to 

 the ground and with less expenditure of force and without the 

 higher lifting of the knee and hock which is characteristic of 

 the high stepper. There is much more extension of the limbs 

 in the trotter, as shown in the reach of the fore leg, while the 

 hind legs pass back farther and reach farther forward than 



