198 SCIENTIFIC HORSESHOEING. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

 FAULTS OF STRUCTURE AND ACTION. 



REGULATED OR RESTRICTED BY SHOEING. 



A large percentage of the horses have feet or legs which 

 are not perfect in conformation, and as a consequence of these 

 imperfections they are especially predisposed to certain injuries- 

 and diseases, as well as to manifest discordance of action — un- 

 desirable in itself and unpleasant in its effects according to the 

 rapidity of motion in different gaits. Much may be learned 

 from careful observation of the action of an evenly-balanced 

 horse, as a standard by which to compare and determine that 

 which is defective or undesirable in figure and gait, as previously 

 indicated in Chapters I and V. 



After examining the gait at which the horse moves, as- 

 pointed out, carefully study the poise of the legs and feet when 

 at rest. The weak points of a horse's conformation can be bet- 

 ter discovered while standing than while moving. If he is sound 

 he will stand firmly and squarely on his limbs without moving 

 them, with legs plump and naturally and equally poised ; or if 

 the foot is taken from the ground and the weight taken from it,, 

 disease may be suspected or at least tenderness, which is the- 

 precursor of disease. If the horse stands with his feet spread 

 apart, or straddles with his hind legs, there is a weakness in the 

 loins and the kidneys are disordered. Heavy pulling bends the 

 knees. A kicking horse is apt to have scarred legs ; a stumbling 

 horse has blemished knees, etc. 



Never buy a horse in harness. Unhitch him and take every 

 thing off' but his halter and lead him around. If he has a corn 

 or is stiff', or has any other failing, you can see it. Let him go- 



