Characteristics
The Narragansett Pacer was not exclusively a pacing horse, as there is strong evidence that it exhibited an ambling gait, which is a four beat intermediate-speed gait, while the pace is a two beat intermediate-speed gait. The amble is more comfortable to ride than the pace, and Narragansett Pacers were known for their qualities as both riding and driving horses. They averaged around 14.1 hands (57 inches, 145 cm) high and were generally chestnut in color. James Fenimore Cooper described them as follows: "They have handsome foreheads, the head clean, the neck long, the arms and legs thin and tapered."; however, another source stated "The hindquarters are narrow and the hocks a little crooked..." but also said, "They are very spirited and carry both the head and tail high. But what is more remarkable is that they amble with more speed than most horses trot, so that it is difficult to put some of them upon a gallop." Other viewers of the breed rarely called them stylish or good-looking, although they considered them dependable, easy to work with and sure footed.
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