Fig. 78.
The same seen from the
ground-surface in profile:
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 then at a pace, or at a gallop. It therefore steadies a trotter that is inclined to pace, or “break” into a run. The increased momentum of the weighted hoof makes for rhythm of movement, and increases the difficulty of skipping, dwelling, or mixing gaits.
In the base-wide (toe-wide) and base-narrow (toe-narrow) standing 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 by 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 cross firing pacer. This animal usually stands base-narrow (toe-narrow) behind, and in motion his hind hoofs describe a curve 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 carries 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 always weight; that it cuts 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. The toe forms an angle with the ground of forty-five to fifty degrees ([see Fig. 68]). The direction of the wall at the toe, viewed from the side, should be parallel with the direction of the long pastern.
Fig. 79.