298 POSITION ASSUMED BY THE FORE-FOOT OF THE HORSE. 
body, by bringing the posterior part of the foot first to the 
ground. In man this is universally admitted. If, as it has 
been believed, it were different in the horse, what loss of 
power, what antagonistic efforts in operation for the attain- 
ment of the end ! The placing of the toe first to the ground, 
and pressure coming secondarily on the heel, must call for 
the opposite condition in the completion of the step, namely, 
the bearing again from heel to toe, as all are agreed that the 
toe is last to leave the ground. Is this in accordance with 
nature’s universal law of attaining much by simple means ? 
Mr. Paton objects to Mr. Lupton’s illustration, viz., the 
comparison made between the action of a horse’s leg when 
its original movements are destroyed by anchylosis and the 
revolution of the spoke of a wheel. I believe that we should 
avoid anything which carries the mind far from the imme- 
diate observation of progression in the sound horse. 
With reference to observations made whilst horses are 
moving, it has been said that the act is too rapid for the 
movement to be perceived, and that, apparently, the foot 
comes flatly to the ground. This is certainly not in accord- 
ance with fact, and we have to request that examination be 
made under every possible circumstance. Look at the heavy 
dray-horse — at the hunter moving and taking his leaps — at 
the race-horse galloping — and it will be observed that both 
when the hind and fore feet come to the ground an impulse 
is not directly communicated from the toe through the 
columns of bones to shake the animal’s frame, but concus- 
sion is admirably warded off by the adaptation of the re- 
bounding structures at the posterior part of the foot #irrrh 
first touche^ the soil. 
The action is certainly best seen when horses are going 
down hill, and seen though not so obviously on the level 
and on a moderate ascent. It is, however, certain, that a 
heavily burdened animal, or one dragging a considerable 
load up a steep hill, takes short and incomplete steps, its 
limbs are not fully extended, and the toes are first firmly 
implanted on the ground, forming a fulcrum to propel up- 
wards and forwards. The toe has never been carried from 
the centre of gravity to its full extent in this case. 
There is oneway in which the horse in moving necessarily 
brings the toes of fore and hind feet first to the ground, and 
that is in moving backwards, either at the bidding of rider 
or driver or when attempting to avoid danger. In this back 
movement the quarters, heels, and frogs are last pressed 
upon, the foot is lifted, and drawn back again to act as a 
prop against the ground. 
