Attitude and Motion of the Legs 



distributed and upheld. The motion of the horse is most perfect 

 and graceful when this center of gravity is freest from up and 

 down or side to side movements. It is most pleasing to the eye 

 and most effective in point of speed when this center of gravity keeps 

 in a practical straight line; and the motion of the legs is most 

 beautiful and most economical of force when, looked at vertically 

 from behind or in front, it proceeds in nearly straight lines and when 



Fib. 14- 







C* centre oF gravity 



flD&BE = Sines of 



motion of feet. 



D E, plane of motion of fixed end of pendulum P F. 



A B, ground plane. 



P M, P N, equal forward and backward extension or 

 swing. 



P, point in shoulder or hip at which legs may be pre- 

 sumed to be pivoted like a pendulum. 



Dotted lines, variations from equal extensions. 



even the curve of its elevation, looked at from the side, is not ex- 

 cessive, but presents a natural height for the speed shown. 



Therefore, when all the force of motion is directed forward and 

 shows the least deviation from a straight line horizontally and no ex- 

 cessive curves vertically, we must of necessity have the very best re- 

 sult in speed with the least expenditure of energy. The lines of motion 

 of the four legs must therefore be parallel to the line described by this 

 central point in the body, called the center of gravity (see Fig. 14), 

 and must, moreover, be equi-distant from it on each side ; and, further- 



