THE CLASSES OF HORSES 



59 



classed in the saddle division. Runners are distinguished from 

 trotters and pacers by greater development of the forehand, by 

 a shorter back, more level cronp, straighter hind legs (Fig. 50), 

 with less proportionate length from hip- joint to hock and more 

 from hock to the ground. Their way of going is also distinctive ; 

 they have a wonderful reach and leng-th of jump at the run, and 

 gallop beautifully, but have a low, pointing stride at the trot 

 (Fig. 51). They race on the flat, or over the steeple chase 

 course of jumps, according to their own natural aptitude and 

 the schooling which they have received. Running race horses 

 are handicapped by the weight required to be 

 carried, an impost of only an ounce making 

 a considerable difference in a horse's finish. 



Gaited saddle horses are the distinctly 

 American saddle horses (Fig. 52), although 

 ambling saddle horses were at one time used 

 in England, and at present the gaited horse 

 is apparently losing favor in some important 

 parts of this country to the walk-trot horse of 

 English idea, Gaited horses are required to 

 go at least five gaits : the walk, either the run- 

 ning walk, fox trot, or slow pace; the trot; 

 rack; and canter; all described under gaits. 

 They carry full mane and tail and are the 

 ideal of the Southern and Western saddle 

 liorse contingent. 



WalJc-trot-canter saddle horses do just 

 what is enumerated in the name, are usually 

 docked and tlieir manes pulled (Fig. 53). Many of our best 

 walk- trot-canter saddle horses are converted gaited horses, show- 

 ing that there is no distinction in type except in their per- 

 fonnance. 



The collected, springy, weight-carrying trot of the saddle 

 horse should be distinguished from the extended, fast trot of the 

 speed horse on the one hand, and the high acting, sometimes 

 pounding, trot of the heavy harness horses on the other. 



Walk-trot-canter horses are referred to as hacks, and a dis- 

 tinction is made between park and road hacks. The fonnev have 



Fig. 50. — The .straight 

 hock-joint. 



