26 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



its proportionate amount of weight, and that there 

 shall be no disturbance in the proper relations of 

 the various parts that make up the legs and feet. 



Dealers keep their horses' toes long because 

 length of toe increases their action. A horse with 

 long toes is bound to exert more muscular force 

 in order to raise his feet off the ground and ex- 

 tend them in progression; consequently his ac- 

 tion is increased. As they do not work their 

 horses hard, but merely give them exercise 

 enough to keep them well mannered to show to 

 their customers, they do not as a rule experience 

 the ill-results they would if they were worked 

 fairly hard. The same remarks apply to heavy 

 harness show horses, that are simply kept in con- 

 dition to show all the style and action possible. 



Everyday work, however, is another matter. 

 The dealer and showman is right from his stand- 

 point, but not from the standpoint of the owner 

 who is looking for everyday service. 



Too long a toe acts as a lever and very much 

 increases the tension of the tendons and liga- 

 ments that support the fetlocks, rendering them 

 liable to strain, and also increasing the tendency 

 to windgalls. 



Too long a toe is also a fertile cause of corns, 

 as it increases very much the pressure on the heels 

 and consequent liability to bruise the quick of the 

 foot at that place, which bruise constitutes a corn. 



