MY OWN SYSTEM 



Or, again, suppose the derangement is located in 

 the right trapezius, which gives to the raised front 

 leg the time of the three movements of the forward 

 stride. I keep a more persistent flexion to the right, 

 in order that the muscles of the neck, by their ar- 

 rangement and their connections with the trapezius, 

 may force the trapezius to remain contracted for a 

 longer time. So as the right fore leg lifts, flexes, and 

 extends, the trapezius keeps it extended. Thus, the 

 trapezius is especially exercised, and in the course 

 of time becomes developed to the degree needed 

 to give as long a stride on that side as on the 

 other. 



Still another case. The stride of the left front leg 

 is longer forward than that of the right, and con- 

 sequently gains more ground than its mate. Natu- 

 rally, then, the right hind foot, having less open 

 space in front of it, cannot reach out so far as the 

 foot on the other side. The strides are, therefore, 

 unequal; and the horse is judged to be lame in the 

 right hind leg. Yet it is not. The short stride of the 

 right hind leg is only the effect. The cause of the 

 trouble lies either in the fore leg, or in the shoulder, 

 or in the muscles which operate the right fore leg. 

 But the horse, being lame, balances itself with head 

 and neck, so that it is impossible to locate the 

 trouble. Paralyze this balance, and the horse, if 

 not unequally conformed, will stride squarely. It 

 merely had a bad habit. 



In a word, find the derangement, its location, its 



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