Fig. 1. Graphic depictions of Hypotheses 1–4. Although the hypotheses refer
to different gaits, a standard walking figure is used for all illustrations in
order to emphasize the differences in head, neck and trunk pitch predicted by
each hypothesis. Hypothesis 1 (H1); the head is free to rotate more than 20
deg. in the pitch and yaw planes on a stabilized trunk during walks.
Hypothesis 2 (H2); the trunk will pitch through more than 20 deg. on a
stabilized head during canters. Hypothesis 3 (H3); the head and trunk will
remain rotationally stabilized (
20 deg.) during trots. Hypothesis 4 (H4);
the neck will not be rotationally stabilized in the pitch plane
because it must make large (>20 deg.) compensatory movements to isolate the
head from the rotational influences of the trunk, thereby enabling independent
head stabilization relative to space. Arrows indicate the direction and
relative magnitude of pitch rotation.