Experiments and their Verification 1 6 1 



of the weight on near fore, though through other conditions its ef- 

 fect on hind action was not visible. Loping under the saddle had 

 probably affected this gelding's open trotting action and inherited 

 pacing tendencies may explain the extensions of two feet on one side 

 (Fig. 126) instead of on the opposite side, as in the true trotting 

 action. Even with this faulty gait he could show miles in about 2 125, 

 the near fore extension favoring an easier taking of turns. 



It should be added that in this experiment the variations of 

 strides from the average were far more regular and even than in 

 the previous trial, the fore being but slightly more irregular than the 

 hind, although the off side (right fore and right hind) gave about 

 20 per cent, more irregularity than the near side, showing again that 

 the interrelation of legs had an element of the pacing or single-foot- 

 ing habit, either inherited or acquired by the saddle. 



A few more experiments would have shown whether his gait 

 could be improved at all and whether he was really worth training 

 or could only be a good saddle horse or roadster. Here it is where 

 the deception comes in and horses are kept in training that are not 

 worth the money spent because of structural or acquired faults 

 almost beyond remedy. They are speedy, honest and level-headed, 

 but simply cannot strike an even, regular clip to accomplish what is 

 asked of them. One thorough insight into their mode of .locomotion 

 will not only tell us of the impediments, but save us a whole lot of 

 trouble and the energy lost in continuing the training by hoping 

 against hope and trusting to luck. 



Let us take, for instance, the usual refuge to toe-weights when the 

 fore feet do not seem to "get away" or extend. There was a horse 

 "by McKinney which I was supposed to immediately benefit and cor- 

 rect in two shoeings. Fig. 131 will give the reader a good conception 

 of the usual overloading of fore feet. 



This animal presents one of the many cases where action is 

 naturally rapid, but where it is straight up and down rather than 

 extended. As illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21, action may be increased 

 in elevation by means of weight in this instance by toe-weights and 

 hsavy shoes but it is not always a guarantee for increased extension. 



