How a Horse Walks 



159 



tions of the natural gaits, such as the running walk, 

 fox trot, slow pace, rack and the like. 



The walk. — This may be considered the founda- 

 tion of all saddle gaits. It is a gait of four flat beats, 

 each foot being planted in regular order. If the right 

 forefoot comes first to the ground, the left hind foot 



Fig. 35. — The walk. 



is next planted ; then the left forefoot and finally the 

 right hind foot. The horse has never less than two, 

 and never more than three feet bearing weight on 

 the ground at the same time. The weight is borne 

 first by the two forefeet and right hind foot ; then 

 by the right forefoot and left hind foot ; then by the 

 two hind feet and right forefoot; and lastly by the 



