75 



fore parts, it is the hind that act as the pto* 

 pelling power, and by which the action is con- 

 tinued. Horses differ in their method of walk- 

 ing. Some horses over-reach considerably; 

 that is, they put their hind feet a good dis- 

 tance past wliere their fore feet stood j others 

 put them down nearly where they stood ; and 

 many about half way between. The speediest 

 walkers are those v/hich over-reach, provided 

 they have a good deal of muscular action,. 

 One horse, however, may walk in all these dif- 

 ferent ways as he is more or less pressed by 

 the rider. Horses usually walk best when 

 they are somewhat tired. When a horse is 

 brought out fresh he is apt to strike into the 

 trot, or gallop ; for which reason sporting 

 men, who make wagers that a horse will 

 walk, trot, and gallop a certain number of 

 zniies in a given time, a third of which is to be 

 performed in each pace, begin, x)y at least 

 ought always to begin, with the gallop, and 

 finish with the walk. 



The walk is that pace of a horse in which he 

 has the least exertion ; it is the pleasantest pace 

 particularly for a person in a state of conva- 

 lc9ceTice, who wishing to take air and exercise, 



F. 2 



