556 THE EXTERIOR OF THE HORSE. 



In order to start on the right foot, for example, the horse first elevates the 

 right diagonal biped, and brings it almost instantly in contact again, at the 

 same time disassociating the beats so as to allow the other biped to interpose 

 simultaneously its beats in the following step, during the interval comprised 

 between the first two. 



If, instead of being at liberty, the animal were mounted, the phenomena 

 would be different : the hind-members would be placed under the trunk, espe- 

 cially the left. After this preparation the other feet should be successively raised 

 thus: 1st, anterior right; 2d, anterior left; 3d, posterior right. The posterior 

 left, alone in contact, would commence to push the body forward (1st period) ; 

 immediately the left diagonal would effect its contact (2d period); last of all 

 would come the contact of the anterior right (3d period). The gallop should 

 commence and continue as usual. (Lenoble du Teil.) 



Passage from the "Walk into the Gallop. 1 This can be accomplished 

 when the contact exists upon aright diagonal base: 1st, elevation of the anterior 

 right and impulsion by the posterior left (1st period) ; 2d, the posterior right and 

 the anterior left, already elevated, strike the ground simultaneously (2d period) ; 

 3d, extension and contact of the anterior right (3d period). (Lenoble du Teil.) 



Passage from the Trot into the Gallop. It is possible at the com- 

 mencement of the contact or during the contact of the right diagonal : 1st, eleva- 

 tion of the anterior right and impulsion of the body by the posterior left (1st 

 period); 2d, contact of the left diagonal; 3d, contact of the anterior right (2d 

 and 3d periods). (Lenoble du Teil.) 



Passage from the Gallop and the Trot into the Walk or Sta- 

 tion. It is when the horse rests upon a diagonal biped that he is capable of 

 effecting these changes. (Lenoble du Teil.) 



Varieties of the Normal Gallop and their Correspond- 

 ing Trails. The horse, in a state of nature, employs the gallop to 

 reach with speed any spot to which he may be strongly attracted ; he 

 also uses it to flee from any danger which may threaten him. The 

 straight line, or a direction similar to it, is preferred by him as pro- 

 ducing less fatigue and offering more safety. The gait in these condi- 

 tions is easy, sure, and generally fast. As to the imprints left upon 

 the ground, they give rise to a trail more or less analogous to that of 

 Fig. 252, Ay in which are seen the traces associated in pairs (anterior 

 and posterior), each pair being separated diagonally. Moreover, be- 

 tween two successive strides there always exists quite a long interval, 

 indicating not only a prolonged suspension, but also an extensive pro- 

 jection, whose value augments with the speed, without, however, being 

 absolutely proportional to it. 



All the domestic horses which have not been influenced by training 

 furnish a similar gallop and trails when they are induced to move at 

 this gait. As they decidedly form the major portion of our equine 



1 In all these examples the gallop upon the right is considered 



