Experiments and their Verification 201 



and keep hold of ground, while the heel calks of the hind shoe and .its 

 square toe enable the foot to break over quickly, thereby excluding a 

 long contact with ground and inducing a higher action. 



Unfortunately, no trial was made on account of a misunder- 

 standing and the filly's subsequent removal ; but there was a great im- 

 provement in her gait and speed. Whether subsequent developments 

 showed this to be the right balance I do not know. She was going 

 well then, and very soon after showed an easy mile in 2.27. Her fast- 

 est mile before that was about 2.45. 



Her case again proves that weight on hind feet increases their ex- 

 tension and also that such extension can be converted into a higher 

 action by the properly shaped toe, as in this instance the squared toe 

 heel calk shoe proved to be. 



It should be remembered, however, that the filly had naturally 

 good hock action similar to that of Lou Dillon, and that the neglect of 

 same caused it to become lower and more extended, which spoiled her 

 gait. Only by bringing it back to its former elevation by the proper 

 shoe, were her gait and speed improved. My former contention, 

 therefore, that the hind action should be looked after as well as the 

 front action and that heavy shoes in front do not by themselves solve 

 the problem of balance, seems to be borne out in this case as well as 

 in other cases. 



As regards weight in front shoes, I have also some evidence to 

 offer to the reader. Let me again urge upon him the necessity of hav- 

 ing a clear analysis of the gait of the animal to be shod, so that the in- 

 telligent horseshoer may at least not be quite in the dark as to what 

 remedy to apply. It should be the trainer's business to ascertain the 

 peculiarities of gait in detail and also to know the various results from 

 various shoeings. Great nicety of adjustment of shoe and hoof is the 

 first requisite of balancing a horse, and this the shoer can only ac- 

 complish when properly instructed as to the manner of locomotion. 



Action in front is not always amenable to remedies intended for 

 greater extension. We have seen that toe-weights have that influ- 

 ence on extension to a certain degree ; but again much depends on 

 whether the action is rapid or naturally more sweeping. Heavy shoes 



