CHAPTER XXVII 

 THE SPANISH AND THE FLYING TROT 



THE Spanish trot is one of the principal low airs of 

 the haut ecole when exhibited in the circus. For the 

 scientific equitation, it is a valuable gymnastic ex- 

 ercise for developing the horse's muscular energy, 

 upon which it makes very great demands. 



It is, like the piaffer and the passage, the mani- 

 festation of perfect diagonal action. It differs, how- 

 ever, from the piaffer and the passage, in that, in 

 these two airs of manege, the knees are flexed, 

 while, in the Spanish trot, as in the Spanish walk, 

 the fore legs are fully extended, held in this position 

 for an instant of inactivity, and then made to gain 

 ground forward. The impulse for each step is given 

 by the diagonal hind leg, which rises at the same 

 time with the fore leg on the other side, and is held 

 inactive for the same period. In other words, di- 

 agonal bipeds are raised, hang for a moment in the 

 air with the fore leg extended, and then are set 

 down together a step in advance. (Figures 32, 33.) 



All the masters of the scientific epuitation have 

 agreed that the Spanish trot is next in sequence to 

 the Spanish walk. Baucher and Fillis teach the 

 progression: Spanish walk, Spanish trot, passage, 

 piaffer. I, on the other hand, almost reverse this 



261 



