146 



Gait of t lie American Trotter and Pacer 



tension may be increased. Weight always increases action, more so 

 in front than behind ; but whether that increase of action will be in 

 elevation only or also in extension depends to some extent on the 

 shape of the shoe. It is similar with the different lengths of toe or 

 foot. Other things being equal, the longer leg in front (^ or *4 inch) 

 acts as a stilt for its opposite mate, lifting the latter and giving it easier 

 extension. It is in the nature of the more rigidly fixed front legs. But 

 again, other conditions being equal, the longer foot behind (y$ or % 

 inch), will be greater in extension than its opposite mate. It is reason- 



F/O./ll 



Extensions of fig. Ill 



LZStn 



flush 



in. foe 

 53(S2J 



3 3 /8in. toe 

 S3 



.I6in 



pared 



FieJ-12 



web on bo Hi 

 oh heels /+ in. longer 



D/st nf-oh = +.18 ft. 



D/sf. of-nh = +. 09 fr. 

 iff. bel. pairs - .09 ft . 



or I.OB in 

 Average dish. ^= +./3ff. 



/5.88ft. 



able to suppose so even at this stage of our observations because of the 

 different and looser articulation of hind legs. 



Later on this will become more apparent. At any rate, the shoeing 

 of Fig. in was based on the erroneous presumption that simply longer 

 heels in one hind shoe will cause it to point back, or, in other words, 

 will check its extension. The main point here raised was whether the 

 right hind foot with its greater length over that of left hind foot would 

 tend toward a greater extension and therefore toward an easier taking 

 of the turns, the supposition being that the greater sweep of the right 



