Reqitisitcs of Perfect Balance 95 



\y 2 inches. For argument's sake the angles are abnormal and impos- 

 sible, being approximately 58 in one and 38 in the other case. The 

 only variable point in both cases is "a," this being the point at coronet 

 of frontal surface a b of toe. This point a varies in height in direct 

 proportion to the size of the angle a b c. It is this point a that gives 

 to the untrained eye the impression of elevated or "high" toe, while in 

 reality it is a "high coronet" only. 



It is at all times possible to measure the length of toe from a to b, 

 and by means of a hoof gauge, such as is seen in Fig. 70, we can readily 

 determine the angle at toe, or that angle which frontal surface line of 

 hoof makes with the plane of sole surface. In considering the heel it 

 may be permissible to speak of a "high" and "low" heel, because of its 

 more vertical and less extended dimension. The heel can be measured, 

 it is true, but not accurately, and it is determined by the angle of the 

 toe. It can be called "high" or "low" on account of its more fixed 

 position and its small variation in dimension, which is practically on a 

 vertical line and hardly exceeds ^ inch in total variations. 



To illustrate the relation of heel to toe, let us look at Fig. 71. 

 Here is a hoof whose continual growth is indicated in C by surface be- 

 tween f e and b c. In its untouched form it appears at A. There are 

 three ways of reducing the horn of the hoof, viz : 



1 I ) By leaving the toe and lowering the heels, as at B. 



(2) By shortening the toe and leaving the heels, as at D. 



(3) By both shortening the toe and lowering the heels, as at C. 

 In the first case (B) we reduce the angle from 54 to 48 ; in the 



second instance (D), we increase the angle from 54 to 58, and in 

 the last condition (C), we have the same angle of 54, as in A. There- 

 fore, we see that the relative length of toe and height of heels determine 

 the angle at toe. 



The length of the foot is most rationally and readily determined 

 by the "white line," or that mark of Nature left at the junction of 

 wall and sole of foot, and from these approximate dimensions the 

 variations of heel or of toe will either open or close the angle at toe. 

 If it is not safe to rasp heel down any more, we can close or decrease 

 angle by leaving toe a little longer; and if toe cannot be shortened any 



