om behind, their
form corresponds to, or at least resembles, either that of the regular
position (fig. 2), the base-wide or too-wide position (fig. 3), or the
base-narrow position (fig. 4).

By the direction of the imaginary line passing through the long axes of
the two pasterns (figs. 2, 4, 5) we determine whether or not the hoof
and pasterns stand in proper mutual relation.

In the regular standing position (fig. 2) the foot-axis runs straight
downward and forward; in the base-wide position (fig. 3) it runs
obliquely downward and outward, and in the base-narrow position (fig. 4)
it runs obliquely downward and inward.

[Illustration: FIG. 4.--Pair of fore feet of base-narrow form in
toe-narrow standing position.]

Viewing the foot in profile, we distinguish the regular position (fig.
5b) and designate all forward deviations as acute-angled (long toe and
low heel, fig. 5a), and all deviations backward from the regular
(steep toe and high heel, fig. 5c) as steep-toed, or stumpy. When the
body weight is evenly distributed over all four limbs, the foot-axis
should be straight; the long pastern, short pastern, and wall at the toe
should have the same slant.

[Illustration: FIG. 5.--a, Side view of an acute-angled fore foot
(shod); b, side view of a regular fore foot, showing the most
desirable degree of obliquity (34 deg.); c, side view of a stumpy, or
"upright," fore foot; obliquity above 50 deg.. In a, b, c, note
particularly the relation between the length of the slope and the
overhanging of the heels. Note also the toe roll of the shoes.]

_A front hoof of the regular standing position._--The outer wall is a
little more slanting and somewhat thicker than the inner. The lower
border of the outer quarter describes the arc of a smaller circle--that
is, is more sharply bent than the inner quarter. The weight falls near
the center of the foot and is evenly distributed over the whole bottom
of the hoof. The toe forms an angle with the ground of 45 deg. to 50 deg. and is
parallel to the direction of the long pastern. The toe points straight
ahead, and when the horse is moving forward in a straight line the hoofs
are picked up and carried forward in a line parallel to the middle line
of the body, and are set down flat. Coming straight toward the observer
the hoofs seem to rise and fall perpendicularly.

_A hoof of the base-wide position_ is always awry. The outer wall is
more slanting, longer, and thicker than the inner