1 10 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



ance of mere weight is largely overestimated. Weight in general in- 

 creases action. Under certain conditions, it increases extension or reach. 

 With the fore foot it develops the folding of knee and the trajectory 

 or path of toe is more elevated and is likely to be less extended, while 

 with the hind foot it also develops elevation with certain shaped shoes, 

 but as a rule causes more extension or reach of foot. On the whole, 

 weight all round steadies the horse in gait, but at the expense of his 

 energy. Its temporary use is a good educational course ; as also are 

 unequal weights on opposite fore or hind feet, which may be required 

 to equalize action and extension. All this I shall endeavor to show 

 in the results of experiments made. 



The shape of the shoe is by far the more important part of shoe- 



GrooveH foes 



^ 



-rolling rnofion 



^cooped toe. 



-..it ii calks on heeJs 



outside heel longer 

 grooved web 



FIG. 82 



ing. This has a direct influence on the direction of the leg as well 

 as its motion. Usually shapes so given or illustrated never present 

 the longitudinal section of shoe but only its horizontal section ; and 

 the shoe is given with ground surface up or as applied to uplifted 

 foot. A crosscut lengthwise of the entire web of shoe is as essential 

 in understanding its effect as the flat surface drawing. In Fig. 

 68, which gives a blank record page of proposed shoeing, the shoes are 

 represented as being on a standing horse ; and it is presumed that the 

 view of these patterns is from above, with sole surface of shoe on 

 ground and with the direction of motion the same as in riding or driv- 

 ing the animal. In Fig. 82 such a view and direction is represented. 

 Any peculiarity, such as swelled or grooved web, scooped or grooved 

 toe, or calked heel, is given directly as it is on ground surface and as it 



