<< y farrier uses this theory rather
than focusing only on the pastern angle - the angle of the shoulder, pastern
and hoof should all be the same. Any comments? Is he pulling my leg?
Joyce >>
That's a theory--but if he's not actually measuring the angles of these body
parts, he's not practicing the theory--just eyeballing like everybody
else--lots of room for error. And then, the stuff I'm reading tends to either
discount or ignore this theory, focusing instead on other overriding facts of
biomechanics. Put simply--the fore feet have to get out of the way while
keeping the horse from falling down on his nose while the hind feet have to
grab ahold of some turf to move the horse forward. Also, for the most
efficient trot, the hind feet have to make impact slightly before the fore
feet. (George Pratt, mid 70's with many personal observations of this truth
since--slo-mo a video of any racing Standardbred and you'll see what I mean.
Positive dissociation is an absolute necessity for these animals.
ti