54 HORSE AND MAN. 



proved by the well-known veterinary surgeon, Mr. 

 «T. I. Lupton. 



' The foot of a living horse in a state of rest re- 

 mains firmly on the ground — that is, the toe and the 

 heel are on the ground at one and the same time. 

 But if, during this position, the extensor muscles 

 were to contract, then the toe would be raised from 

 the ground. If, on the other hand, the flexor muscles 

 were to contract, then the heel would be raised from 

 the ground. 



'Now, during progression, the first movement 

 which takes place is the contraction of the flexor 

 muscles, by which (together with the muscles of the 

 arm) the foot is raised, the toe being the last part of 

 that organ raised from the ground. The foot is now 

 in a position to be sent forward, which is brought 

 about by the contraction of the extensor muscles. 

 The foot is then thrown out as far as the flexor 

 muscles will admit, and, when at the greatest allow- 

 able point of extension, the heel is brought in a posi- 

 tion with the ground. 



' The flexors now in their turn contract, the heel 

 is first raised from the ground, and lastly the toe, 

 which brings me back to the point I started from. 



'Three principal impressions are made on the 

 foot during progression, namely : — 



' (1) On the heel, when great expansion and 



