218r MODERN FARRIER. 



the air; nor could the body be moved forward until 

 the hind-leg had quitted its station, in order to take 

 a new point of support or centre of gravity. 



' During the Avalk, the fore-leg which is raised in 

 the air, should be for a moment stationary before it 

 reaches the ground. This shews that the body is 

 properly poised, and steadily supported by the other 

 fore-leg ; in which case, the horse has a greater com- 

 mand of the leg which is in the air, and which he 

 can throw forward to either a greater or less distance, 

 as the nature and surface of the road may require. 

 It. is also a great proof of soundness in the feet ; for 

 a tender-footed, or what is called a groggy horse, 

 cannot stand long upon one leg without pain, and 

 hence arises that short, stiff, and contracted motion 

 which invariably takes place with horses of that 

 description.' ^^ 



The utility of good walking is particularly felt in 

 hilly countries ; for a long-backed and weak-loined 

 horse, whose fore-legs are badly placed, goes down 

 hills with great difficulty and uncertainty. 



The walk, on the average, reaches five miles an 

 hour, though there have been instances of horses 

 walking even six. But beyond the rate of five 

 miles, it generally becomes a shuffling pace, bet"SA'een 

 a walk and a trot, in which the animal walks with 

 his fore-legs, and in some degree trots with his 

 hind-legs. 



A horse that walks lightly and freely, moves his 

 head up and down in conformity with the action of 

 his fore-legs. This motion of the head accompanies 

 the motion of the leg ; thus, when the leg is ofit'the 

 ground, the head sinks, and rises again when the leg 

 reaches the ground, and so on alternately whilst he 

 is in motion. This nodding of the head has its use, 

 inasmuch as it relieves the muscles of the neck, and 

 takes off that uneasiness which arises from a long 

 continuance of one position, as is so evidently the 

 case with coach-horses that are reined up tight v> ith 



