HORSESHOEING. 77 



In the hose-wide (toe-mde) and hose-narrow (toe-narrow) 

 stondiiig positions, the flight of the hoofs, as seen from in front 

 or behind, is not straight forward, i.e., parallel to the line of 

 progression of the body, but in arcs of circles. (See Figs. 72-75, 

 p. 73.) In these cases, increasing the weight of the hoofs, by 

 increasing the momentum, must of necessity increase the 

 tendency of the hoofs to move off at a tangent to the curves 

 which they describe. In other words, weight increases the 

 centrifugal force of a body moving in a curve. The outward 

 swing of the hoofs of a base-narrow horse (paddling), and the 

 inward swing of a base-wide horse (interfering), are made 

 more pronounced hy adding weight to any part of the hoof. 

 The centrifugal force is greatest in base-wide feet when the 

 weight is on the medial, or inner side of the hoof; in base- 

 narrow feet when it is on the lateral or outer side. 



A side weight, or side weight shoe is often of service in a 

 crossfiring pacer. This animal usually stands base-narrow (toe- 

 narrow) behind, and in motion his hind hoofs describe a cun'e 

 at first forward and outward and then inward till contact is 

 made with the diagonal hoof or leg. The added weight (placed 

 on the outer side) by increasing the centrifugal force caiTies the 

 hoof just enough farther from the centre around which the hoof 

 swings to prevent contact. (See cross-firing, p. 138.) 



Finally, it must not be forgotten that weight is alwoys 

 weight; that it cids speed and devours endurance. 



E. Forms of Hoofs. 



A front hoof of the regular standing position (Fig. 79). 

 The inner and outer walls differ but little in direction and 

 thickness. The outer wall is a little thicker and somewhat 

 more slanting than the inner (see Figs. 61 and 62), and its 

 outer circumference describes a larger arc of a circle, — that 

 is, is more curved, as can be seen both at its plantar border and 

 at the coronet. The length of the quarter in relation to the 

 length or height of the side wall and toe is about as 1:2:3. 



