142 



Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



The difficulty that many horses have to get around the turn going 

 in the ordinary way with the infield to the left is sometimes removed 

 when the turn is taken in the reverse way. It only strengthens my 

 contention for the exact information regarding unequal extensions by 

 means of measurements. It also led me to experiment with toe-weights 

 on both fore and on one fore only. Toe-weights have a very steadying 

 effect on the action, but also often produce too much folding of fore 

 and a resultant deficient action of hind. Their use has been overvalued ; 

 but as a means to ascertain deficient extension they have their place. 

 The accidental loss of a shoe has often determined such deficiency and 



Fl 6.106 



Zoz.W 



a/so 3oz weight 



full 



flush 



Swe/leal heels 



Straight- web 



brought about a great improvement of gait. Likewise the use of one 

 toe weight only has solved the question of squaring the animal's gait. 

 But in all these cases unequal weights are indicators of balance and 

 point to a remedy in foot and shoe rather than to the permanent use of 

 toe-weights. A harmonious action between fore and hind, or an 

 action where the difference is not excessive, should be the aim of 

 proper training. As to a greater extension of fore being due to toe- 

 weights there is evidence to that effect in a trial with the same subject 

 heretofore considered. The shoeing given in Fig. 106 shows a 2 oz. 

 weight on each fore. It is similar to that of Fig. 99, except that the 



