208 ELEMENTS OF HIPPOLOGY. 



There are two artificial modifications of the pace: the rack, 

 where the hind foof; foots it ahead of its leading fore foot; and 

 the single foot, where each foot foots it independently of the 

 others. The single foot is a very easy gait indeed for the rider. 



The trot has also two artificial modifications: the fox trot, 

 when the fore foot foots it ahead of its diagonal hind foot; and 

 the run'ning walk, where the hind foot foots it ahead of its 

 diagonal fore foot. 



The Kentucky saddle-horse has all of these gaits and the 

 walk, trot, amble, and gallop as well. The Kentucky breeder 

 resents having the gaits above described styled artificial, because 

 he has bred his strain of horses to possess them naturally. They 

 are so termed because a horse must either be bred or trained 

 to possess them.* 



Lameness may be defined as an alteration of action 

 adopted by an animal in an effort to avoid pain. Most 

 sound horses comply with the rules for the natural gaits given 

 above. Their heads are carried uniformly, without nodding. 

 If a horse is seen to dwell longer on one leg or pair of legs 

 than another, if he nods his head at each step, if he shortens 

 his gallop, or is stiff in his action, it is because there is pain 

 in one of his legs and he is trying to keep his weight off it or 

 to keep from straightening it. He is lame. 



The trot is the best gait in which to locate lameness. The 

 walk is too slow; three legs are always on the ground in that 

 gait, ' and, unless very lame indeed, it will be difficult to locate 

 it at a walk. The gallop is too complex and too rapid a gait 

 for this purpose. The trot, on the contrary, is simple and easily 

 analyzed. It is not too rapid for careful observation. One hind 

 foot and the diagonally opposite fore foot bear the whole weight 

 of the body at any instant. 



*3ee Captain Hayes, "Points of the Horse," and Gouboux and 

 Barriere, "Exterior of the Horse," for complete discussions of the 

 subject of gaits. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



