'* FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATION.^ >*\ \ tj \ J&< 



in certain types and classes of horses. They involve the 

 making or unmaking of some animals whose work is to show, 

 to develop speed, or to be driven for pleasure. 



Fundamentally, there are several distinct gaits of pro- 

 nounced importance which are the walk, trot, pace, canter, 

 rack, gallop, running walk, fox trot and slow pace. These gaits 

 are described as follows and will be applied to the various 

 breeds, types and classes in the consideration of these subjects. 



Gaits. A gait is significant of one of the characteristic 

 methods used in producing locomotion. It is characterized 

 by certain definite phases or features which thus gives the 

 horse a distinctiveness in adapting itself to various uses, 

 whether for draft, speed, road, show, or saddle purposes. 



Walk. The walk is one of the fundamental gaits of 

 horses. It is a comparatively slow four-beat gait character- 

 istic of the draft horse especially and also of light horses, 

 although of less significance compared with the draft animal. 

 It is a distinct form of locomotion and when executed properly 

 is a very useful gait. 



Trot . The trot is a two-beat gait, the diagonal forelegs and 

 hindlegs moving together. There are three distinct varieties 

 of the trot, including that of the trotting horse, the heavy 

 harness horse, and the saddle horse. 



Pace. The pace, like the trot, is a rapid two-beat gait 

 distinguished from the latter in that the lateral foreleg and 

 hindleg move together. It is characterized by more or less 

 side motion and is adapted only for speed purposes or on 

 very smooth roads which otherwise would seriously impede 

 action or locomotion. 



Canter. The canter is a slow gallop w r hich is accomplished 

 under more or less restraint. It is a gait characteristic of 

 the saddle horse. Such animals are frequently trained to 

 lead on either foot to avoid the excessive wear on the leading 

 forefoot and the diagonal hindfoot. 



Rack. The rack is a four-beat gait which is characteristic 

 of the five-gaited saddle horse. It was formerly termed 

 "single foot" because of its peculiar cadence. The latter 

 term has been discarded, however, the term "rack" being 

 used bv the American Saddle Horse Association, 



