176 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



only once exceeded its proper proportion, or one-half of stride, and 

 measured 7.85 feet. 



The whole trial was irregular and unsatisfactory. The lateral 

 extension and angles taken proved by Fig. 138 that the off hind was 

 the disturbing element in the gait. Besides that, he hit his knees. 

 Having little elevation, but great rapidity of motion, this animal gave 

 the impression of being speedy. The main purpose, after stopping 

 the knee hitting, was to try weight on off hind. At first the shoe was 

 only 2 oz. heavier, which was gradually increased to 5 oz. In connec- 

 tion with this weight a lower angle and a longer toe was tried as a 

 remedy. The changes were all made gradually so as to prevent any 

 sudden jars by inequalities. No change in shoeing should be sudden 

 or radical. At the end of four months he was shod as given in Fig. 

 139. It should be mentioned here that both the near fore and the near 



Lateral extensions - reduced one half 

 nK nf oK ; of 



t t t I 1 



7.7'/ 



\F/6./38. 



hind were somewhat dished in their frontal surface, and to counteract 

 that a steeper angle of foot was maintained. Dished hoofs do not 

 measure well on the hoof-gauge, and as a rule have a tendency to 

 point forward, because this faulty frontal surface, normally straight, 

 deceives the man who takes the angle of the foot; and the result is 

 that such a foot is left at a lower angle and with a longer toe than its 

 opposite mate. This alone causes an irregularity of gait, and there- 

 fore this fault of a dished frontal surface should always be taken into 

 careful consideration. Hence, the near fore here appears with i more 

 in angle of foot. Besides, this will facilitate the leverage of the dished 

 toe. Both front shoes are beveled from toe around outer half to 

 counteract breaking over on inside toe and to point in instead of out, 

 which latter is usually responsible for the vicious inward curve of 

 motion that causes knee hitting. The roll in shoe from toe to heel 

 induces a little more action and elevation of fore, and the increased 



