334 A Manual of Veterinary Physiology. 



ing on two lateral legs, viz., off fore and off hind (4; : the 

 next movement brings the horse into the first position, 

 the hind-leg coming to the ground first leaves him on 

 the off fore and both hind-legs, and the near fore is being 

 advanced to be followed by the off hind — it is simply the 

 first stage with the near fore leading instead of the off fore. 



The fore-leg remains on the ground for a longer period 

 than it takes passing through the air ; this can be seen 

 perfectly in watching the animal, and comprises the period 

 during which the body is passing over the limbs. The 

 movement in the air both of fore and hind legs is so 

 extremely rapid as almost to defy detection, so far as de- 

 fining the changes in the direction and shape of the limb.* 

 The snatching up of the foot from the ground is the quickest 

 movement. Stillman refers the snatching up to the spring 

 or rebound of the suspensory ligament. 



In walking, the majority of horses rarely extend the knee 

 any great distance beyond a vertical line dropped from the 

 shoulder. A sudden movement of the extensors now 

 straightens the leg, and the foot is placed down flat or heel 

 first. If the leg is not fully straightened by the extensor 

 muscles, the foot comes to the ground toe first, with the 

 knee slightly bent, and a stumble follows. 



It appears to be a matter of indifference which fore-leg 

 an animal starts the walk with. 



Figs. 38 and 39 show the curves or paths described by 

 both fore and hind limbs in the walk, after Marey and 

 Pages. Examining these curves from the time the foot 

 lea ccs the ground until it touches it again (Fig. 38, B), 

 we find that the shoulder-curve runs slightly upwards, due 

 to the limb being advanced ; the elbow-curve runs rather 

 downwards, due to the limb being extended ; the knee 

 shows a marked upward curve, and then a fall as extension 

 occurs ; the fetlock also shows a well-marked curve, due 

 to its flexion and then extension. The curve shown by the 



* Stillman states that if the speed of the horse be "J.") miles an hour, 

 the foot which is in the air and travelling forward is moving at the 

 rate of 50 miles an hour. 



