110 FARM ANIMALS 
can move only by changing his center of gravity. This 
he does when he starts to walk, by a slight movement of 
the head, throwing the weight of the body on one fore- 
leg before he lifts the other one. The rapidity with 
which he moves depends upon the relative amount of 
time that the center of gravity is outside the base during 
each step. This is the reason that the gallop is faster 
than the pace, the pace a faster gait than the trot, and the 
walk the slowest gait of all. 
How a Horse WALKS 
The feet are on the ground longer in the walk than in any other gait. Much 
of the time three feet are in contact with it. As the walk is made faster the 
periods of contact with the ground are shortened in length. 
9. The walk is a slow gait, because during each step 
at least two feet are always upon the ground, while part 
of the time three members furnish support to the body. 
Assuming a horse starts to walk with his left forefoot, 
the walk is accomplished as follows. Left fore member, 
right hind member, right fore member, left hind member 
and then back to the left fore member. The feet reach 
the ground at equal intervals. As one listens to a horse 
walking upon a pavement, there are four equally spaced 
beats to each step. Notice, also, that the hind foot is 
raised before the forefoot on the corresponding side, but 
