128 



EQUINE LOCOMOTION. 



ward reach of fore leg — that is, of speed. We may note 

 that the intervals of time between each of these positions 

 represented by Figs. 156 to 171 are aU equal. We can 

 see, starting with Fig. 156, that the near hind, off hind, 

 near fore, and off fore (the leading fore leg) remain for 

 nearly the same time on the ground. The leading fore, 

 however, has to perform a longer period of support than 

 any of the other three. It is also more extended when 

 it touches the ground than is the non-leading fore leg- 



to) 



Fig. 190. Fig. 191. 



Phases of the "Collected" Gallop; Off Fore Leading (continued). 



Photognifhs Ji/] [Ottomar ANscnijTZ, Berlin. 



as we shall note if we compare Fig. 163 with Fig. 160. 

 Hence it is more liable than the other limb to suffer from 

 sprains of the suspensory ligament and check ligament 

 {inferior carpal), both of which structures aid in sup- 

 porting the fetlock joint. As regards the injurious effect 

 of concussion, it would appear that the non-leading fore 

 leg (Figs. 159 and 160), by reason of its coming to the 

 ground at a moment when it is wholly unsupported by 

 the other fore limb, would suffer more • from concussion 

 than the leading fore. Consequently, I venture to submit 

 that, when the Hgaments of the leading fore leg get 

 sprained during the fast gallop, the cause is over-extension, 

 and not the usually assigned one of concussion, or even of 



