142 Training the Trotter, Coacher and Roadster 



increased in thickness. In case the horse extends 

 too much and fails to bend his knees sufficiently, it 

 is often advantageous to have the toes of the shoes 

 fairly light and to increase the weight gradually 

 toward the heels ; or in case the horse folds or bends 

 the knees too much and fails to extend the feet 

 sufficiently, increase the weight toward the toes and 

 lighten it toward the heels. This of course must 

 be done so as not to interfere with the level of the 

 foot. If the true position of the leg is interfered 

 with, the wear will not be equally distributed and 

 lameness is likely to follow. In shoeing and balanc- 

 ing to improve action, however, it is most important 

 that each animal be critically studied and the method 

 adopted that will yield the best results. 



Conditioning to improve action. — To bring out the 

 action, it is essential that the horse be in fine fettle. 

 He must be full of nervous energy and his muscles 

 well developed. No matter what his conformation, 

 how thoroughly trained, or perfectly balanced, it is 

 not possible for the horse that is run down in flesh 

 and lacking thrift to come into the bit with that 

 rhythmical, frictionless action that commands the 

 respect of all. He must not only know how to do it 

 and feel like doing it, but must also have the power. 

 The making of a responsive mouth, the correct bal- 

 ancing and toning up of the system, should proceed 

 together; one should never be permitted to go ahead 

 of the others in making high-acting horses. 



