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A MANUAL OF VETERINARY PHYSIOLOGY 



obtained. The limb movements are not quite the same in the 

 match-trotter as in the ordinary trotter. Muybridge shows it as 

 follows (Fig. 204) . The difference between match and ordinary 



trotting is that the match-trotter 

 does not leave the ground simul- 

 taneously with a pair of diagonals, 

 but with one at a time, nor does 

 he arrive on the ground with a 

 pair, but with one at a time. The 

 interval in time between the 

 arrivals is extremely small, but 

 it distinguishes the flying from 

 the ordinary trot. In the ordinary 

 trot, it will be observed, the body 

 is propelled by a diagonal fore and 

 a hind leg simultaneously, but in 

 the match-trotter the propelling is 

 done first by a fore and then by 

 a hind. This action of the hind- 

 legs as propellers is important to 

 notice ; it does not occur in either 

 the canter or the gallop, but appears 

 again in the jump. It will also 

 be noticed that the body, on 

 coming to the ground, is received 

 first by a fore and then by a hind 

 limb. In the ordinary trot it is 

 received by fore and hind limbs 

 simultaneously. 



The velocity trotting horses 

 attain is quite remarkable. The 

 historic horse Edgington, the first 

 to be photographed while moving, 

 and whose stride when exhibited 

 on paper revolutionised the public 

 conception of animal locomotion, 

 was taken while trotting the mile 

 in two minutes sixteen and one- 

 fifth seconds.* The length of the 

 stride was 17 feet (5-15 metres), and 

 the space traversed during the time 

 the body was travelling through the 

 air with no feet on the ground — viz., the period of suspension — 

 was 5 J feet (1-65 metres) at each step. This may be compared 



* Higher velocities than the above are common in American racing. 

 The mile has been done in less than two minutes. 



Fig. 203. — The Trot. 



From instantaneous photographs 

 by O. Anschutz. {Ellenberger.) 



