52 JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



pavements. Each of the legs has its own stride, and loco- 

 motion results when the four limbs engage in their natural 

 movement. The sequence or order of stride differs accord- 

 ing to the gait, which may be defined as the style of going 

 of the horse. Two strides may be taken at the same time, 

 two feet hitting the ground and giving beats at the same 

 moment, as in the case of the front and opposite hind foot 

 in the trot. The familiar rack (single-foot) illustrates the 

 strides occurring separately and rhythmically, one beat at 

 a time. The kind of gait is indicated by the time shown in 

 the beats, expressed in the separate strides taken to complete 

 the movement. Thus the experienced saddle horse critic, 

 hearing the beats of the hoofs of the horse under saddle on 

 a dark night, may recognize the gait without seeing the 

 horse. The length of stride differs greatly, being shortest 

 in a walk, yet even then naturally varying according to 

 conditions, such as size of horse, gait, length of leg, de- 

 gree of speed, etc. Abnormal conditions, such as lameness, 

 or character of shoe, also affect the length of stride. 

 Different weights or forms of shoes may materially change 

 the length of stride. The elevation of the stride is also quite 

 variable, and is affected by the gait, weight of the hoof or 

 shoe, the surface travelled over, etc. The height of stride 

 will be affected by the natural growth of hoof, if super- 

 fluous weight is not removed within due season. The trite- 

 ness of stride or gait is of great importance and is impos- 

 sible if the legs and feet are not carried straight and true. 

 Referring to a true, or what may be termed a "square 

 gait," Jordan says,^ "A square gait means nothing more 

 or less than an even and equal extension backward and 

 forward for all the four moving legs of the horse, with two 

 pairs of feet striking the ground at equal intervals of time 

 and distance during a given trial." Interference at the 

 ankle, crookedness of limb, as for example at the hock, will 

 aiifect the squareness or trueness of gait. The rapidity of 



^ The Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer. Rudolph Jordan, Jr., New 

 Tort, 1910, p. 2. 



