Attitude and Motion of the Legs 23 



of the fore leg, is apt to reach forward with greater ease than fore leg. 

 Hence we shall see later that to prevent interference between the ex- 

 tremities it is sometimes as necessary to decrease the extension of 

 hind as it is to increase the extension of fore; in other words, to 

 equalize the hock and knee action. Such, it seems, were the endeavors 

 and the results of Palo Alto Farm and of the Electioneer family of 

 horses. It is, in fact, a very reasonable and sensible view to take 

 of the action and gait of the trotter. 



It may be of interest to state that increasing the action of one 

 extremity by one" means or another tends to decrease the action of the 

 other extremity. If by toe-weight or heavy shoes we effect greater 

 folding of fore legs and consequent higher elevation of feet, we seem 

 to create a tendency in hind to remain closer to the ground ; and, vice 

 versa, if by heavy shoes and calks or squared toes we effect the greater 

 action of hind and consequent greater elevation of feet, we seem to 

 diminish the action of fore legs or elevation of their feet. 



The fore legs seem to have the mission of props to keep the horse 

 from falling and the hind feet are meant as the great propellers when 

 at speed. When we consider the forward angularity of hind limbs we 

 can see how their tendency becomes one of forward action, while the 

 backward angularity of fore limbs tends to a greater fold of the elbow 

 and knee joints. In fact, though the hind legs are hung more loosely 

 they are not quite as well adapted for high elevation ; while the fore 

 legs, more firmly or stiffly set in forequarters, are compensated there- 

 for by a .greater ability to fold or bend. Photography has proved that 

 the fore legs also act as propellers, and the evidences of the tracks on 

 ground will prove as much; and in a general way it may be said that 

 the action of the hind is from one-half to two-thirds of that of the 

 fore. The less the difference in action between the two extremities 

 the more harmonious and regular will be the entire motion of the 

 horse at speed. 



As mentioned before, Muybridge first demonstrated by his instan- 

 taneous photographs at Palo Alto Farm that the various positions of 

 the horse in motion were totally different from accepted beliefs ; and it 

 is well worth while to recall his results. I would, therefore, like to 



