THE WALK. 123 
the argument is after all of little consequence ; but the truth is really, as 
was observed by Borelli, that the hind foot is the first to move when the 
horse starts into a walk from a state of rest in which all four feet are 
placed as in ordinary standing. ‘There may be positions in grazing where 
the fore foot advances first ; but then the pace cannot be considered as 
the customary walk. 
IN THE ACCOMPANYING OUTLINE the horse is represented in the manner 
usually accepted by artists, with the near fore foot (2) in the air, and 
apparently leading off. But if, as I have endeavoured to show, the hind 
foot must of necessity start first, although this engraving affords to the 
eye of the observer the most graceful and striking position which is taken 
up in the walk, yet it is not the one with which the horse commences 
that pace. Here the near hind foot (1) has already been brought forward 
and placed on the ground, on or near the spot occupied by the fore foot, 
which is in the air; the off hind foot (3) is just about to leave the ground, 
having expended its share of progressive force, and the weight of the body 
is borne by the off fore foot and the near hind one. Whenever a fore foot 
starts first (which, as I have already remarked, may occasionally occur, as, 
for instance, in grazing, or when the weight is unnaturally thrown upon 
the fore quarters), the attitude is most constrained, and the proper 
sequence, or cadence, if the animal is forced into a quicker pace, is not. 
fallen into without a most grotesque degree of rolling, which conveys to 
the eye a full idea of the forced nature of the pace. Mr. Zwecker has 
endeavoured to fix this upon paper in the annexed engraving, but though 
I fully admit that the drawing is correct, I confess that I am not satisfied 
with the result of his labours. However, it may serve to convey to my 
readers the fact which I wish to impress upon the mind, viz. that a walk 
in which either fore leg commences the cadence is unnatural, or, at all 
events, exceptional. 
EXCEPTIONAL MODE OF STARTING. 
