A sulky ox refuses to move in the proper direction; off starts a rider, who catching the stubborn animal by the tail, it at once becomes frightened into a lope; advantage is taken of the unwieldy body by the hunter, as it rests on the fore feet, to jerk it to the ground.--Thorpe's Backwoods, p. 15.
The mustang goes rollicking ahead, with the eternal lope, such as amorous deer assumes when it moves beside its half galloping mate, a mixture of two or three gaits, as easy as the motions of a cradle.--Ibid. p. 13.
(TO) LOPE
n. a slow and steady gallop. From Dutchverb loopen, to leap, to run. The word is Americanrather tha...
Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose