Experiments and their Verification 2 1 3 



mite in that direction. It seems more rational to explain the cause of 

 such greater extension by the endeavor of the animal to avoid a shock 

 such as a long heel will in a measure produce, and to equalize the 

 touch of heels on ground by reaching out farther with the 'foot which 

 carries the longer heels ; especially if its angle is lower. 



In Fig. 162 the lower hind angle (52) and the heavier weight (9 

 oz.) lend their assistance toward a forward extension ; and, on the other 

 hand, the greater angle (54) or higher heel with the lighter weight 

 (7 oz.) tend to retard the extension of the opposite or off foot. The 

 square toe in this case tends to elevate the action, while the round toe 

 tends to lessen the elevation. In front we have again the near fore 

 restrained in extension by greater weight and angle, even though the 

 off fore has a squared toe. In both these front extensions there is 

 again visible the influence of the hind action, the off hind still further 

 restraining the near fore and near hind giving impetus or activity to 

 the off fore. 



Continuing with the same subject we have the conditions of the 

 shoeing of Fig. 163, which are practically the same as in Fig. 162, ex- 

 cept for the shorter toes of fore and of hind and more particularly, 

 the difference in angles between fore and between hind of both shoe- 

 ings. This difference in angles stops the extensions of both right fore 

 and left hind and gives the active right hind a chance to assert its 

 habit of forward extension, as in Fig. 161, but in a much smaller 

 degree. 



Weight restrains the left fore and helps the left hind (Fig. 163). 

 The shoes of right fore and left hind being set full, the extension is 

 also helped thereby. In the variations from average stride both fore 

 were nearly alike in steadiness, and the left hind was much the stead- 

 ier of the two hind. The shoe of the right hind had the heels a trifle 

 thicker than the left hind and this may also have caused a quicker 

 break-over at toe. The difference in hind extensions, however, was 

 considerably less. At any rate, the variations from average stride 

 were too great in extent to endorse this shoeing as correct, and the 

 trial showed it somewhat. Let us pass on to another shoeing in Fig. 

 164. The main point here is the difference in toe-lengths of hind 



