XXXvi TEACHINGS OF THE ZOETROPE. 



a time ago as two years, when the subject is so provokingly muta- 

 tious as that under consideration. First, it was thought that masses 

 of steel in the shoe and correspondingly hiige appendages in the 

 weight were an absolute requii'ement. Then there have been 

 changes in everything pertaining, and from the crude fastener of a 

 spike between the shoe and the foot to the latest patent, there is no 

 wider divergence than in the reasoning all have been instrumental 

 in evoking. I looked for a key in the instantaneous photographs of 

 horses in motion, and as these gave the first correct knowledge of 

 the action of a race-horse, was sanguine enough to think that with 

 their aid the problem would no longer mystify. I pored over and 

 studied the first cards that were i^ublished, and when Mr. Muybridge 

 sent me a set ai-ranged for the zoetrope, I was so eager to go at the 

 lessons that I made an instrument which proved as good as need be 

 to reproduce the exact motions of life. There has scarcely been a 

 night that I have not set the wheel revolving, intent on discovery. 

 The gallop, trot, pace, single-footing, gave plenty of chance for com- > 

 parison; and still, so far, I am in a labyrinth with one thread, per- 

 haps, to drop in the journey. In a fast, square trot there is more 

 danger from the fore and hind feet coming together in what is called 

 scalping than at any other gait. It may be the only gait in which 

 this can occur, as trotters and gallopers are the only horses in train- 

 ing I have had for a number of years, at least twenty, and the 

 representations are my only guide. When a colt commences to hitch 

 it so oftentimes is the cause that there will be almost a certainty of 

 finding that to be the trouble. Scalping-boots and speedy-cuts do 

 not always correct the difficulty, as a touch on the leather is a re- 

 minder of the pain of previous blows. Being aware that the injury 

 is not done in a gallop, an approximation to that gait is depended 

 upon for relief, and it takes a long time before the fear is overcome. 

 The toe-weights give an accelerated movement, and when the hind 

 foot passes under the front, it is so far elevated as to give room with- 

 out danger of collision. By referring to the cuts of the trotter on 

 pages xviii and xix it will be noticed that the two fore feet are very 

 close together when the last impulse is given to send the body 

 through the air, and when the hind foot gives the last nervous push 



