xj 



THE ORGANS OF LOCOMOTION 



]23 



imperfect extension of the leg Avhich is thereby insufficient to 

 carry the weight. 



Fig. 54. The trot (from Smith, Messrs Bailliere, Tindall and Cox). 



Ambling. Lateral (and not diagonal) legs are on or off the 

 ground at the same time (e.g. the off fore and off hind legs are 

 lifted simultaneously, and not the off fore and near hind as in 

 the trot). The amble is a very comfortable motion for the rider. 



The Canter. There are six stages : 



(1) The body is proj)elled ujoward and forward by one fore 

 leg (e.g. by the off fore, the other three legs being off the ground). 



(2) All the legs are off but near the ground. 



(3) The near hind leg is on the ground. 



(4) The off hind and near fore legs come to the groiuid, so 

 that three legs (both hind and near fore) are on the ground. 



(5) The off fore leg touches the ground, and simultaneously 

 the near hind leaves the ground, so that three legs (now, both 

 fore and the off hind) are on the ground. 



(6) The near fore and off hind legs leave the ground, the 

 horse being balanced on the off foi'e leg only. 



