Posted by Peter Hyland on April 19, 2007 at 19:36:34 from 86.130.125.238 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: John galumphs twice posted by Prue Eckett on April 19, 2007 at 04:42:08:
The thing to remember about 'galumphing' as in S&A is that it is used in descending a steep slope. This means that you need each leg in turn stretched out in front of you for as long as possible to take the weight and stop you falling on your face. While one leg is taking your weight (and possibly sliding, as on scree) you have to bend up the other leg and shoot it forward as quickly as possible. To help to avoid falling forward you should lean back as much as you can. I am not sure that a gait like a galloping horse could be safely performed on a steep slope. Most four-legged creatures will try to descend a steep slope sideways, and zig-zag if they can (see e.g. sheep tracks).
It's all a question of centre of gravity (Oh dear, I hope that remark will not instigate a page of quadratic equations ;-) )