Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



463 



The rack is a four-beat gait, each foot meeting the ground singly, 

 all the intervals being equal. Hence it is sometimes called "single 

 foot." This gait may be distinguished by the ear alone, because the 

 foot-falls are rapid enough to produce a characteristic clatter. The 

 rack is taught by urging the horse with the whip or spurs and restrain- 

 ing by the curb. This breaks up the movement of a slow gait, and the 

 restraint is sufficient to prevent a free trot or canter, so that the horse 

 flies into a rapid four-beat gait. The rack is easy for the rider, hard 

 for the horse. It is showy, and some horses can perform it at great 



Fig. 176. — The saddle horse in action. Edna May, undefeated five-gaited 

 mare, ridden by Mat S. Cohen, Lexington, Ky. Owned by Mrs. R. Tasker Lowndes, 

 Danville, Ky. This picture shows correct degree of knee and hock action and proper 

 carriage of head and tail. 



speed. This gait has been officially named the "rack" by the American 

 Saddle Horse Breeders' Association, hence the name "single foot" 

 should not be used. It should be smooth, swift, and without side 

 motion of the body or legs. 



The slow pace, sometimes called the "stepping pace," is the true 

 pace so modified that the impact on the ground of the two feet on a 

 side is broken, the hind foot touching first, thus avoiding the rolling 

 motion of the true pace. The slow pace is a comfortable and attrac- 



