80 SCIENTIFIC HORSESHOEING. 



on the same angle with them, which can be easily verified at 

 any stage of the work by the use of the adjuster, with or with- 

 out the assistance of the levehng plate. 



When this is done with one foot, the same method of pro- 

 cedure with each of the other feet will enable the smith to bring 

 them into precisely the same good form ; his work will also be 

 done on true scientific principles beyond the criticism of his 

 most exacting patron, and must prove a boon to horseflesh 

 generally. 



It will, of course, be observed, that the quarters are 

 straighter or more upright than the toe (compare Figs. 17 and 

 18), and that the degree of obliquity varies in almost every 

 horse, ranging from 45 to 56 on front toe of fore feet, and per- 

 haps a little more for the hind feet. 



But the main points to be impressed here are, that the 

 natural slope of the pasterns is the only safe guide to be followed 

 in all cases, and that the two fore feet of the same animal should 

 always be alike, and the two hind feet alike, whatever difference 

 may exist between them otherwise. In this way the horse will be 

 enabled to tread upon feet of the same relative form in the same 

 relative way, an advantage to their working in perfect harmony 

 over irregular growths and dressings that is simply beyond our 

 power to estimate. 



The center line through the leg and middle of heel and 

 toe, as shown in each of these figures, represents the exact axis 

 of all normal leg and foot movements. The weight is precipi- 

 tated in a direct line downward through the center of the bones 

 and joints until it reaches the fetlock, where it is thrown for- 

 ward on the angle of incidence formed by the pasterns and 

 coffin-bone, represented in Fig. 17 by letters G, G. In a well- 

 balanced horse, each foot and each part of a foot, combine to 

 perform an equal and uniform function, and to carry an even or 

 equal portion of weight distributed in the natural way. But 

 any unevenness or irregularity of the base of the hoof, which 



