I2O Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



in question. But time and opportunity bid me make as good an offer- 

 ing as is possible after much patient inquiry and effort. The experi- 

 ments worked out on many subjects were sufficiently verified, I think, 

 to warrant certain generalizations. Given, therefore, a certain manner 

 of equine locomotion, the correction of any faults of it may be worked 

 out on such general principles rather than on lines of specific remedies 

 for each individual case. At any rate, my method of analyzing the 

 gait will serve a good purpose even if the applications of remedies 

 differ from those of mine. To my critics I will say that nothing 

 would please me more than if they "go me one better'/ in the propei 

 correction of a faulty gait by means of my method of analysis or by 

 any other method except guess-work. 



These preliminary remarks are intended to impress upon the 

 mind of the reader the importance of correct data on every case under 

 investigation. In balancing the horse in motion one is apt to be guided 

 by the imperfect observations of the eye when such definite data are 

 not obtained. 



Shoeing itself, is an art, but the correction of faults of gait by 

 means of shoeing and trimming the foot should be worked more on 

 the exact lines of a science. When farriers, therefore, are endeavor- 

 ing to remove an actual rather than a probable cause of a faulty gait, 

 they will be able to do work with more satisfaction to themselves. 



A remedy in shoeing, such as -shape or weight of shoe or length 

 and angle of toe, may not be a permanent one and yet have a good 

 temporary effect. That is to say, we may safely apply a different shoe 

 on one foot for a time only in order to correct the motion of a certain 

 leg, if we have found such leg deficient in action or extension. Or, 

 again, we may find, also by this analysis, that there is a structural fault 

 in the leg or the foot which calls for a permanent remedy in the shape 

 or weight of a shoe different from the other three. For instance, one 

 leg may be shorter and we may correct the defect by a permanent 

 lengthening of that leg or shortening of opposite leg. Then there is 

 the "hitch" behind and that peculiar laboring in front, which both 

 cause a rough and unsatisfactory gait. It means but an unequal ex- 

 tension of opposite legs, and no horse can produce a smooth and square 



