3p2 Gait of the American Trotter and Pacer 



be enough to get an idea of any existing irregularity of the gait in 

 question. If, therefore, the trainer does nothing else but take down 

 the straight measurements and establish the extensions illustrated by 

 Fig. 211, he will have a quick and fairly good analysis of the gait in 

 question ; always provided that he also uses the white cord as a middle 

 line of reference as to the various good or faulty positions of the feet, 

 and observes the character of the impressions left on the ground. For, 

 the nature of the concussions of the shoe with the ground may give 

 further clews as to any impediments caused by a wrong adjustment in 

 the shoeing. 



As in the trot, so in the pace, the most important measurements 

 or distances are those between the opposite fore and the opposite hind, 

 and those between the lateral or correlated feet. For, the latter cor- 

 respond to the diagonal pairs in the trot and should likewise be equal 

 in distance for both sides. Figs. 213 and 214 give the positions of feet 

 and the distances to be measured. The proceeding is the same as that 

 in the trotting trial, with the exception that the hind feet follow in- 

 stead of precede the fore feet on the ground. All resulting tables of 

 the various measurements have, therefore, the first column marked 

 "hind" and the second "fore," the reverse of those for the trot. Not 

 having a good example for an illustration, I leave the matter to the 

 reader, who will no doubt be able to figure on the same lines as given 

 in the trot, always remembering the reversing of hind feet, which fol- 

 low the fore in the pace. 



In urging trainers to keep records of the various shoeings and of 

 the trials so measured, I advocate but the prevailing methods of any 

 business or undertaking, where reference to past events serve as in- 

 structions for improvements. Without records no work of any sort 

 can possibly be progressive and satisfactory. We must avoid mistakes 

 to get along better than before. All changes and results must be on rec- 

 ord so that reference can be made to them at any time. Angles and 

 lengths of toes should be accurately repeated at each shoeing, unless 

 there is a valid reason for a change. Changes should be gradual, and 

 time be allowed for the effect of a change. Equal angles for the fore 

 and equal angles for the hind feet, as well as equal lengths of toes, 



