on the hoof
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Hoof \Hoof\, v. i.
1.To walk as cattle. [R.] --William Scott. [1913 Webster]
2.To be on a tramp; to foot. [Slang, U.S.] [1913 Webster]
To hoof it, to foot it.
On the hoof, of cattle, standing (on the hoof); not slaughtered.
beef on the hoof, live cattle. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]