1 60 ROAD, PARK, AND SCHOOL 



the movf .lent that results is the safest of all others 

 for rrv gh or slippery ground ; for in the united 

 actiou thus brought about the fore-feet are well 

 raised and firmly planted, and the hind-feet follow 

 their diagonally disposed fore-feet with but short 

 intervals, while the momentum is not strong enough 

 to greatly increase the dangers of a mistake. 



A horse may start in the walk with any one of 

 the legs ; but a perfectly balanced horse, in a state 

 of nature, would begin to walk with one of the hind- 

 legs, the fore-leg of the same side giving way for 

 it. A mounted horse will usually lead off with the 

 fore-leg opposite to the side against which the heel 

 of the rider gives the indication for the movement. 

 Under any circumstances, if the horse be standing 

 with one of the hind-legs advanced under the body, 

 the animal will begin the walk with the fore-leg of 

 the same side. 



It will be seen that in the walk the horse has 

 never less than two, never more than three feet 

 bearing the weight at the same time. 



The Trot. When the horse moves with springy 

 steps, and the foot-falls mark two sharp beats, the 

 pace is the trot. 



In the trot, the horse springs from one pair of 

 diagonally 'disposed legs to the other pair, and is free 

 from the ground between each step. 



