PACES OF THE HORSE. 



189 



when running over the keys, to try and describe the move- 

 ments which have just been executed. 



Still, in the midst of this confusion, it has been found 

 possible, by observation alone, to establish certain divisions 

 which singularly simplify the study. Thus, certain paces give 

 to the ear a rhythm in which the strokes of the hoofs succeed 

 each other at sufficiently regular intervals; others, such as the 

 different kinds of gallop, offer an irregular rhythm, recurring 

 at periodical times. These latter paces are the most difficult 

 to analyse. 



But if we observe a horse either at a walking pace, ambling , 

 or trotting J and if we concentrate our attention on the anterior 

 limbs alone, or on the posterior ones, we perceive that the 

 rhythm of the impacts and elevations of the right and left 

 foot entirely resemble those of the feet of a man walking or 

 running more or less quickly. The alternation of the strokes 

 of the feet is perfectly regular, if the horse be not lame of 

 one of the limbs under observation. 



If we then pass to the comparison of the movements in the 

 two fore and hind legs on the same side, we see that the two 

 feet on the right side, for example, make the same number of 

 steps, and that if one of them strikes the ground at a greater 

 or less interval before the other, this is preserved as long as 

 the same pace is continued. Add to this that the length of 

 the step is the same for both the fore and hind limbs, of 

 which fact we may convince ourselves by seeing that these 

 two feet always leave on the ground prints situated at the 

 same distance from each other. In general, the hind-foot 

 covers the print left by the corresponding fore-foot ; if the 

 prints be not covered, they preserve always the same distance 

 from each other. Thus, the steps of the fore and hind legs 

 are of the same number and the same extent ; these facts 

 have not escaped former observers. 



Duges has compared the quadruped when walking to two 

 men placed one before the other, and following each other. 

 According as these two persons (who ought both to take the 

 same number of steps) move their limbs simultaneously, or 

 alternately ; according as the man in front executes his move- 

 ments more quickly or more slowly than the one behind, we 



