Horse Pictures - The Trot

The Beauties and Defects in the Figure of the Horse

Delineated in a Series of Coloured Plates

by H. Alken

Published in London by S. and J. Fuller at the Temple of Fancy, 34 Rathbone Place

The Trot

This pace being the only one used in harness, requires particular notice, as there is a great variety in this action. The annexed Plate is intended to shew the spanking trot, in which the horse should carry his head well up, and, when out of harness, the nose pointed forward. In the step, the shoulder should be thrown well out, the knee rather straight, the hoof pointed forward, and put to the ground, as a soldier is taught to march; not by putting the heel down first, nor the hoof full on the ground, but the point of the foot should touch the ground slightly before the heel, with an even motion, without a catch or jirk; the shoulder, at the same time, leaning well over the bearing leg, so as to make the reach longer, as in Figure 1; the quarter being thrown well under, but not so far as to occasion an over-reach. I have heard many people, who are great fanciers in trotting horses, admire the wide action behind: but I am not of that opinion, as I think it a great sign of weakness, and excessively aukward and ugly. I have never found horses with such action able to perform long journies.

If a horse were to use his fore-legs in the form of Figure 2, he must lose considerably in ground, and be liable to trip and fall at any little roughness in the road, and must lose in speed, by delivering the foot as in Figure 3.

The picture above is an illustrated plate from the 1816 publication, the inside title page of which is reproduced here along with the introduction to the book

"By a detailed series of graphic and descriptive illustrations, it is the intention of the Author of this Work to show the good and bad points in that most useful and noble animal the Horse. He has adopted the mode of detaching various parts of the subject, because, by comparison of the distinct appearances, the general impression upon the memory of the reader is much likely to be much stronger than could result from the study of any treatise of a less abstracted nature; to understand which, a knowledge of anatomy, or a constant reference to some scientific work is indispensable.

This Publication is also intended as a Book of Lessons for such young Artists as are inclined to pursue the study of the Horse in all the different points of his figure and action.

There is no animal whose countenance combines such correct and powerful expressions of character. The physiognomy of the Horse, therefore, illustrating the different passions to which he is subject, as well as the natural bias of his temper and disposition, is an important branch of study to gentleman of the turf, and to young purchasers; for it is generally considered, that to timid riders and drivers, the temper of the beast is of more consequence than any bodily blemish.

In this point of view, therefore, the Author flatters himself that his Work will be found useful; and as his remarks are the result of the most attentive observation during many years, entirely devoted to the pleasures of the field, he trusts that the general principles which he has laid down, as well with respect to power, strength, and the various points of action as to the physiognomical character and figure of the horse, will be found fairly elucidated in the following series."