THE WALK, 87 



The Walk. — This is a movement of four time, and is a 

 pace in which all the limbs move, respectively, one after the 

 other. If, for instance, the near fore leads, the sequence is : 

 I. near fore (Fig. 99), 2. off hind (Fig. 100), 3. off fore 

 (Fig. 103), 4. near hind (Fig. 106). If the near hind begins, 

 it will be I. near hind, 2. near fore, 3. off hind, 4. off fore. 

 Each foot comes after the one which precedes it, at an 

 interval of about half the time occupied in taking one step. 

 The result of this is that we have the following order of 

 supports . I. right pair (Fig. 98), 2. right diagonals (Fig. loi), 

 3. left pair (Fig. 103), 4. left diagonals (Fig. 106). As a 

 rule, a horse begins the walk with a fore leg. 



We may divide this pace into : (i) The short stepping 

 walk, in which the prints of the hind feet do not come as far 

 forward as those of the fore feet of their respective sides. 

 {p) The ordinary walk, in which they more or less cover 

 them. (3) The long striding walk, in which they go clear 

 in front of them. (4) The high stepping walk, which is 

 generally an artificial pace, and in which the feet are raised 

 off the ground higher than usual (5) The walk tn heavy 

 draught, which is a short stepping walk, and which has 

 peculiarities that I shall presently consider. 



Figs. 75 to 82 give an example of the ordinary walk ; for 

 the hind feet cover, as nearly as possible, the prints of the 

 fdre feet of their respective sides, and there is no exaggerated 

 knee action. 



The long striding walk is shown in Figs. 83 to 88. As 

 an example of the high stepping walk, we may take the 

 action of Napoleon's horse in Meissonier's great picture, 

 ** 1814." 



In the various forms of the walk — except in heavy 

 draught on the level or up an ascent, or when going up an 

 incline without having to pull a heavy weight — the healthy 

 horse brings the heel of the foot first on the ground, or the 

 flat of the foot. When the heel precedes the toe in touch- 

 ing the ground, the interval is so short that it is all but 

 imperceptible. In cases suffering from certain diseases, 



