18 



STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 



himself, going collectedly and executing each step with an ex- 

 treme degree of flexion and the utmost precision (Fig. 15). 



Pace is a rapid, two-beat gait, in which the lateral fore and 

 hind legs act togetlier (Fig. 16). It is characterized by the 

 readiness with which pacers can get away at speed, a minimum 

 of concussion, more or less side motion, the absence of much knee 

 fokl (although some pacers are trapi:)y), and the necessity for 

 smooth, hard footing and easy draft, for its execution. It is 

 difficult for most pacers to go in deep or heavy footing, such as 



Fig. 14. — The fast trot, characterized as a diagonal gait of extreme extension and rapidity 



of stride. 



fresh snow, sand or mud, and they have a jerky, unsteady way 

 of pulling a wagon, if any pull is necessary. The increased 

 draft of an additional person up behind or of a rough bit of road 

 will swing most pacers into a trot if they can trot at all. Jogging 

 down hill will force some trotters to pace, while an up grade will 

 set pacers to trotting. The pace is more essentially a speed than 

 a road gait. 



Amble is a lateral gait usually distinguished from the pace 

 by being slower and more broken in cadence. 



Rack is a fast, flashy, four-beat gait, more clearly defined 

 by the discarded name '^ single foot." It is rarely executed vol- 

 untarily but under compulsion of hand and heel, and is charac- 



