76 



HORSESHOEING. 



(See Fig. 76, B.) When the momentum of a foot moving 

 rapidly and abruptly upward is increased by weight the result 

 is extreme and even exaggerated flexion of all joints of the leg, 

 and by allowing the hoof to grow long the flexion is still further 

 increased. In the show ring, harness horses with fair natural 

 action may be made to " climb " by shoes weighing from thirty 

 to sixty ounces upon hoofs an inch or more longer than normal. 

 The leverage of a heavy shoe on a long hoof is excessive, fatigu- 

 ing and most injurious to ligament, tendon and muscle. The 

 action, while high, is labored, poundmg and altogether inelegant. 



Fig. 77. 



Fig. 78. 



A 40 oz. right front shoe (hoof-sur- 

 face) to increase knee-action in a high 

 acting harness horse. For show-pur- 

 poses only. 



The same seen from the ground surface in pro- 

 file: a, bevel from inner border of the web to 

 outer border: b, ends of the branches of full 

 thickness from outer to inner border. 



In the training of trotters weight is often used to increase 

 the length of the stride, or to cause a higher folding of a front 

 foot, in order to prevent " scalping " or " speedy-cut." As 

 soon as the new gait becomes a fixed habit the weight should be 

 gradually lessened. Weight is carried with less fatigue at a 

 trot than at a pace, or at a gallop. It therefore steadies a 



trotter that is inclined to pace, or " break " into a 



The in- 



creased momentum of the weighted hoof makes for rhythm of 

 movement, and increases the difficulty of skipping, dwelling, or 

 mixing gaits. 



