What is the significance of horses hooves being of the ground on statues?

Answer 1

i think it's something along the lines of: if both the horses legs are raised the rider died in battle, if only one leg is raised the rider died as a result of wounds from a battle and if all four legs are on the ground the rider died of natural causes.

Answer 2

Though the meaning of equestrian statues vary in different parts of the world, the only consistent explanation that certainly holds to true has to do with those that represent war heroes of the Civil War battle sites, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

At Gettysburg, a statue that has all four of the horse's hooves on the ground means that the rider survived the battle without a scratch. One foot raised means the person was wounded but survived, and both forelegs raised indicates that the man was killed at Gettysburg.

Hope this helps clarify things.

Answer 3

I am not 100% sure, but I believe that if a statue of a horse has a historical rider on it and all 4 legs are on the ground it is depicting that historical figure, If one leg is raised, I believe that means the dude on the horse was killed in combat. Anyone know for sure?
Great question by the way because I DO know for a fact that the raised leg has some significant meaning

Answer 4

may not have it perfect but here goes if the horse is rearing on two legs that person dies in a combat situation actually in a battle if one leg is up they died while in the military on active duty and if all are touching or only one is slightly raise as if in forward movement then that person died a "natural" death

Answer 5

I've heard this one before ... it's an urban legend about however many are off ground have something to do with how the person on the horse died. Supposedly it's not true.

Check this:
http://www.snopes.com/military/statue.htm

Answer 6

Bingo, elleei is absolutely correct. Right on the money.