232 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



due to the incline of the shoe from heels torward toe. They do not, 

 therefore, form a part of a safe and suitable shoe; but at the time 

 of these shoeings I had an idea that their use would, in general, correct 

 the hind forward extensions. In a following trial we shall have occa- 

 sion to see, after a fashion, again the effect of a longer rather than 

 a higher heel, even though the heels on both were swelled heels. 



Conditions in these two trials being, however, based on these 

 swelled hind heels, the comparison between them may be considered 

 a proper one, even though too many minor conditions or changes 

 again figure in these trials. While in the previous trial (Fig. 173) 

 the hind heels were somewhat different in their thickness, in the sub- 

 sequent trial (Fig. 176) the near hind shoe was Hat, while the off 

 hind had squared toe and swelled heels. The near hind shoe was also 

 heavier than before, which in reality increased the thickness of the 

 web of that shoe. In spite of this, however, the extension of near 

 hind did not exceed that of off hind. The reason for this seems to 

 have been the easier break-over of the off hind, due to squared toe 

 and swelled heels. This condition was discussed under Fig. 175. 

 This distinct difference between the hind shoes and feet gives an 

 idea of what counteracting effects we may have in our endeavors to 

 get everything into harmonious motion. By the variations of the 

 hind legs from the average strides the off hind showed in both trials 

 round toe and squared toe an unsteadiness hard to account for, inas- 

 imnch as it appeared to be the most active and the freest leg. It 

 was certainly extended ahead of its opposite mate, the near hind, and 

 was not dragged after it as is the case of so many unsteady and hop- 

 ping horses; nor could the near hind be pronounced a weak leg, be- 

 cause it was reasonably steady as to its variations. 



In the trial of Fig. 176 the off hind varied quite a bit more from 

 average stride, the totals of these variations above and below average 

 being -f- 3- 2 5 and 2.60, while those of near hind were 4- 2 - an d 

 2.16, the latter showing a pretty even swing of motion. Despite the 

 fact, therefore, of the off hind pointing forward in excess and making 

 the impression of a strong leg there is reason to believe that it really 

 was unable, through some weakness of tendon or ligament, to extend 



