THE SADDLE TYPE OF HORSE 



165 



as the "gaited saddle horse/' for the reason that 

 it possesses five different gaits, namely: (a) walk; 

 (b) running walk or fox trot, or slow pace; (c) trot; 

 (d) canter; (e) rack. These several gaits have already 

 been described on pages 48-60. There are some special 

 features valued in this type of saddle horse. The action 

 should be frank and easy, with a minimum of friction con- 

 nected with it. A 

 superior horse of 

 this type that is 

 well trained, will 

 not mix his gaits, 

 but will keep them 

 properly separated. 

 On signal from his 

 rider he changes 

 from one gait to 

 another, otherwise 

 remaining con- 

 stant. A graceful, 

 easy, sure move- 

 ment of the limbs, 

 with not too much 

 knee or hock action 

 is desired, with a 

 certain springy character universally admired in this 

 horse. Nevertheless, one sees saddlers that possess con- 

 siderable action, that as combination horses under 

 saddle or in harness make an attractive show. How- 

 ever, the high-stepping character of the Hackney is 

 but of place here. The official definition 2 of the five- 

 gaited horse, specifies that he ' * should go the running walk, 

 fox trot or slow pace, smoothly and equal to six miles an 

 hour; rack easily without being forced, with speed equal 

 to twelve miles an hour, must stand quietly, back readily, 



2 Show Ring Classification. American Saddle Horse Breeders' Association, 

 Adopted April, 1910. 



Fig. 91. "Not too much knee or hock action is 

 desired." (Courtesy American Breeder.) 



