Fig. 5. Stride parameters in the forelimbs (filled squares) and hindlimbs (filled triangles) of horses trotting on the level. (A) Stride period decreased with speed but was the same in both limbs. There were differences between the limbs for all of the other parameters (B-F). (B) Swing time is shorter for the forelimb and does not change with speed but it decreases with speed in the hindlimb. (C) Time of contact is longer for the forelimb and decreases with speed in both limbs. As a consequence of the longer time of contact in the forelimb (C), step length (D) is longer in the forelimb, the rate of force application (E) is lower, and duty factor (F) is larger. Notice that duty factor is greater than 0.5 in the forelimb at a speed of 2.5 m s^-1.