Quote by Terry Pratchett
There is a lot of folklore about equestrian statues, especially the ones with riders on them. There is said to be a code in the number and placement of the horse's hooves: If one of the horse's hooves is in the air, the rider was wounded in battle; two legs in the air means that the rider was killed in battle; three legs in the air indicates that the rider got lost on the way to the battle; and four legs in the air means that the sculptor was very, very clever. Five legs in the air means that there's probably at least one other horse standing behind the horse you're looking at; and the rider lying on the ground with his horse lying on top of him with all four legs in the air means that the rider was either a very incompetent horseman or owned a very bad-tempered horse.
Summary
This quote humorously explains the folklore surrounding equestrian statues and the interpretation of the number and placement of a horse's hooves. It suggests that different positions of the horse's hooves can symbolize various meanings such as a wounded or killed rider, getting lost, or the sculptor's skill. The quote adds a playful twist by mentioning five legs in the air, implying the presence of another horse, and a rider with a horse lying on top of them, indicating incompetence or a challenging temperament of the horse. Overall, the quote highlights the whimsical nature of these supposed interpretations.
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