ACTION. 
791 
important point to study. The horse that toes in usually has 
the inside quarter of his fore feet defectively developed, which 
becomes more marked if he is not rationally shod. 
The defect of formation of the inner quarter consists in a 
slanting off of it from before backwards and outwards, and from 
above downwards and towards the centre of the foot, causing 
this quarter to assume a wedge-like form and to literally^ act as 
a wedge between the shoe and the sensitive part of the inner 
quarter, thus predisposing it to bruising- In addition to this, 
the horse that dishes usually brings his foot down with force on 
the inner quarter. This manner of planting the foot not only 
subjects the ligaments to undue tension, but is a fruitful source 
of troublesome corns. 
On the other hand, a horse that toes out is apt to come down 
with most force on the outside of his foot. This is a much more 
defective formation than the former, for it not only causes wind¬ 
ing-in and great liability to interfere, but the planting of the 
foot is usually accomplished in a manner that results in the 
production of considerable concussion, and also subjects the lig¬ 
aments to great tension, so that the legs soon begin to show the 
effects of wear and tear. Some horses come down with most 
force on their toes, causing them to what is called stub their 
toes. Such a manner of planting the foot is apt to cause stum¬ 
bling, and increases concussion to a marked extent. Short pas- 
terned, straight-shouldered and sliort-gaited horses often show 
this defect. Just the opposite manner of planting the foot or 
coming down with the heel first, is not at all uncommon. This 
defect of action is not only likely to cause bruising of the heels, 
but subjects the tendons and ligaments at the lower and back 
portion of the fore legs to excessive strain. Ordinarily this 
imperfection is only observed in long-gaited horses ; but some 
horses that plant their feet in a favorable manner when going 
at a moderate pace will, when forced to a faster one, lengthen 
their stride and show this defect, often called “ pointing,” to a 
pronounced degree. Deep and oblique-shouldered horses with 
little knee action, like thoroughbreds, often go in this way, but 
