The change in gallops of the horse, through cinematograph films

Abstract

The study of twenty changes in gallops — carried, out through the interpretation of slow-motion cinematograph films at the rate of 64 expousure a second — disclosed the existence of two varieties of change, show in the notations to figures 1 and 2. Twelve changes were made during the suspension periods of the gallop, so that the alteration started with a hind-leg, without there being any modification in the sequence of normal supports in this gait — and eight were effected by changing the support of a fore-leg, the hind-legs being in contact with the ground. In this case, there was a change in the sequence of supports as compared to a normal gallop. The author, before interpreting the notations, presents a bibliographical sum, marry, concluding that the classical conformation of the Horse treatises are silent on this subject, which is however dealt with, though cursorily, in books on horsemanship. The author’s observations have confirmed the description given in an old treatise on horsemanship, written by Manoel Carlos de Andrade in 1790, as a result of visual observation alone, as there was then no other means of studying animal locomotion. Though it may be logical to admit, that the natural manner of changing the gallop would be to do so during the suspension period, the author makes this assertion with certain reservations, in view of the fact observed in the eight cases that diverged from the majority, some of them carried out without interference on the rider’s part, that is to say, naturally, and others after the usual "aids” had been applied.