8o Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



In both of these cases I had no direct data regarding the shoeing, 

 but in later chapters experiments with shoeing will show not only the 

 absolute necessity of the greatest accuracy in shoeing, but also the 

 telling effect of slight changes in hoof and shoe. The necessity of 

 having the distance between the legs that move together the same will 

 perhaps be self-evident. In Fig. 38 we found a difference of 0.173 ft., 

 or 2.07 inches ; while in Fig. 56 there is only a difference of 0.06 ft., or 

 nearly 4 inch. While such a discrepancy may be covered up by 

 speed and a few extra revolutions of the legs, yet there is always this 

 disturbing element in the gait that will tell in the speed for a whole 

 mile. Only when such discrepancy is revealed by an investigation such 

 as this can we proceed toward a remedy. 



Shoes of Alone 



*'" 

 7o& across foe. 



narrow nm .1 

 outside heel* 



The final requirement for the completion of this analysis of Alone's 

 gait will be, as with Lou Dillon, the actual position of the tracks with 

 reference to lateral or side extension. There is generally much con- 

 fusion about the lines of motion or the curves described by one foot 

 from one track to its next one. David Roberge has demonstrated, or 

 rather had laid down, the rule of "pointing" as always offering a solu- 

 tion of these directions of feet. He says : "It may be stated, as an 

 invariable rule, that an animal's right or wrong way of standing is 

 carried out in action, whether it be slow or fast." (P. 99, The Foot 

 of the Horse.) 



Lou Dillon pointed backward a little with fore legs, but her hind 

 legs stood nearly straight ; while Alone pointed back a little with fore 

 and forward with hind, or stood slightly under with both extremities. 

 It is interesting to note that Alone, with a longer base (5.03 ft.) 

 between the two pair of legs than Lou Dillon (3.26 ft.), should have the 



