76 



STATIONARY MOVEMENTS OF THE HORSE. 



more than the other, and his hind feet more or less apart, 

 so as to widen the base of support. 



The rear is a particularly insecure and fatiguing attitude 

 for the horse to maintain ; as the column of bones formed by 

 the body and the hind legs has to be kept in position, 

 at its joints (or angles), by the exercise of muscular force. 

 In a biped, like man, this column of bones can be brought 

 into a nearly vertical position, so that its component parts 



Fig 53.— Rearing 



can rest on each other, with but little muscular exertion 

 to maintain them in that position. Owing to the large 

 amount and continued nature of this muscular effort, there 

 will be an appreciable backward and forward sway 

 (caused by the alternate contraction and relaxation of the 

 opposing muscles) at the various joints. This, added to 

 the narrowness of the base of support (formed by the hind 

 feet and the respective lines which join their toes and 



