Horses and such...

[Hoof Hearted]

Sorry Wolf, I disagree.
The Naragansett Pacer was defined as a breed because of its' gait. Today's pacing horses are pacing Standardbreds, and again, I feel they must have the/a gaiting gene to enable them to travel at that specific gait. Icelandic horses have a gait called a flying pace, though I do not know if it is 2-beat or a very, very fast 4-beat or singlefoot step and only called flying pace.
Most Standardbreds compete in trotting races like the Hambletonian, harness racing's Kentucky Derby.

I feel the pace is a natural gait, the hobbles are used to encourage the horse to remain in gait while racing and not break stride into the gallop. Putting hobbles on a non-pacing horse will not make them pace, it will only confuse them.

I'm glad everyone has enjoyed the info and the video.
Please note on the video...that while the horse's front and back ends look "bouncy"...take note of the center of his back, where a rider would sit, moves smoothly along on a flat plane...THAT is the crux of the smooth, glide ride!
hh

[Griff]

We went to the trotter races yesterday at Tioga Downs. Pete forgot the camera! They have hobbles for some of the trotters as well to remind them to stay in gait.