io8 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



I do by no means advocate any indiscriminate or sudden change 

 01 angles to effect a change in pointing. Sudden changes are always a 

 menace to soundness and something is likely to snap or break. 



It should be remembered that a difference of i or 2 makes quite 

 a difference in the height of the heel, even at so small a distance of 

 4 to 6 inches, which is generally the length of foot. A strict ad- 

 herence to definite angles cannot be too strongly recommended, pro- 

 vided suitable angles have been found. Proper angles and their repe- 

 tition at each shoeing insure safety from injury to the tendons. But 

 even. with all the care of angles the ground should be consulted and 

 notes should be taken of any concussion of web of shoe. Where per- 

 sistent striking of ground by parts of the shoe is seen something must 

 be wrong. If it is at heels, they are either too high or too long in foot 

 or shoe. If it is at toe alone there is generally a weakness of extension 

 of foot which is hard to remedy. And again, if these concussions occur 

 in the region of the quarters they point to a wrong direction or axis of 

 leg or foot, or of both. In all such observations we may or we may 

 not effect a cure, but we are at least always aware of the real dis- 

 turbing causes. We are not groping entirely in the dark as we do 

 when we change shoes only just to try something else and judge the 

 gait entirely from the seat of the sulky. Incidentally, I may remark that 

 subsequent trials or experiments will show the advisability of unequal 

 lengths of feet and of unequal angles where deficiencies exist. The 

 greater the speed, however, the smaller the changes necessary. 



III. THE SHAPE OF SHOES AS A CORRECTIVE OF GAIT. 



A few remarks on the shoes to be applied are now in order. Since 

 I do not claim to be a farrier, the question of , the kind of shoe to be 

 applied should in fairness be left to the skilful man at the forge. Our 

 country has brought out some great men in that line of work. The 

 development of the standard bred horse has shown that in a remark- 

 able manner. All I want to insist on and emphasize with much ardor 

 is that shoes so made and applied should always show the foot to come 

 in contact with ground firmly, distinctly and lightly. There must be 



