THE FOOT AXIS. 181 



wards and downwards, in the out-tnrned toe position obliquely 

 outwards, and in the in-turned toe (fig. 162) obliquely inwards. 



Viewing the foot from the side we distinguish a normal 

 position of the foot axis (fig. 166), and may term all variations 

 from this in a forward direction as oblique (fig. 165) and all 

 variations in a backward direction as upright (fig. 167). 



Speaking generally, the foot axis, shown in figs. 165 and 

 167 as a dotted line, should follow a straight course in each of 

 the four feet, provided the limbs are all bearing weight. Any 

 deviation from this straight line, as shown in fig. 168, is 

 abnormal. Durino: rest, the wall of the toe and the foot axis 

 should be almost or quite parallel with each other. It is 

 allowable in shoeing to leave the toe of the foot a tritie more 

 upright than the general axis of the pastern. 



The direction of the foot axis is of great importance in the 

 practice of shoeing. The oblique foot (fig. 165) forms an angle 

 of less than 4:5° with the ground, and, compared with the two 

 other forms, its hoof has a long toe and low heels. In the 

 normal position (fig. 166) the angle is about 45^ to 55°, the 

 toe being shorter and the heels higher than in the oblique foot. 



Theorists have described the correct angle of the hoof and 

 pastern as 45°, claiming that it ensures equal distribution of the 

 weight of the body between the column of bones and the 

 tendons, but animals so formed are not considered well shaped 

 by the best judges ; the pastern is too sloping. 



It is clear that, as there is no danger of injury to the bones 

 from shock when the animal is at rest, it would be advantage- 

 ous could these support a greater proportion of weight than the 

 tendons and suspensory ligament, which would be correspond- 

 ingly relieved. On the other hand, when, during movement, 

 the limb comes violently in contact w^ith the ground, the major 

 part of the weight should fall on- the tendons, etc., and thus 

 shield from injury the bones, which must otherwise certainly be 

 fractured. 



General opinion seems to regard the best angle as somewliat 

 less than 50° for front feet and as 50° or somewhat more for 

 hind. The greater length and obliquity of the pastern in fore- 

 limbs compensates for the greater weight and the more violent 

 shocks experienced ; length and obliquity being factors emin- 

 ently favourable to neutralising concussion. 



