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JUDGING HORSES 



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 



Fig. 18 



Fig. 19 



Fig. 18. — Viewing action at the walk coming toward the observer. 

 Observe movement of forelegs and shoulders especially. The legs should 

 be placed directly under the body and there should be no winging, rolling, 

 or paddling motion. (Courtesy of Indiana Agricultural Experiment Station.) 



Fig. 19. — Viewing action at the wallt going from the observer. Observe 

 the snap, flexion of the joints, directness and hock movements. (Courtesy 

 of Indiana Agricultural Experiment Station.) 



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