The wear of the shoe which occurs when the foot is placed on the ground is termed “=grounding wear=,” and that which occurs while the foot is being lifted from the ground is termed “=swinging-off wear=.“ When a horse travels normally, both kinds of wear are nearly alike, but are very distinct when the paces are abnormal, especially when there is faulty direction of the limbs. While in the majority of horses whose limbs have been stiffened by age and overwork both kinds of wear are most marked at the toe of the shoe, we see relatively fewer cases of “grounding wear” at the ends of the branches (as in laminitis); on the contrary, we =always= notice “swinging-off wear” at the toe of the shoe. It is worthy of notice that length of stride has much to do with the wear. We observe that with shortening of the stride both kinds of wear occur at the toe of the shoe, and this is rapidly worn away, as is the case with horses which are fretful and prance under the rider, draw heavy loads, or from any other cause, as disease or infirmity, are obliged to shorten their steps. With increase of length of stride the wear of the shoe becomes more uniform. [Illustration: FIG. 86. A normal-angled foot with straight foot-axis. The shoe shows uniform wear.] [Illustration: FIG. 87. An upright foot with foot-axis broken forward by reason of too high quarters. The shoe shows “grounding“ wear at ends of branches, and “swinging-off“ wear at toe.] [Illustration: FIG. 88. A hoof with foot-axis broken backward by reason of surplus horn at the toe. The shoe shows excessive “grounding“ and “swinging-off” wear at the toe.] The _position_ and _form of the shoe_ have a marked influence upon its wear; =at the place where the shoe is too far under the hoof= either as a result of shifting or of having been nailed on crooked, or where the outer branch has not the necessary width, or does not form a sufficiently large curve, =the wear will be increased=. Also the relative length of side walls, or of toe and heels, influences rapidity of wear of the shoe. If through ignorance or carelessness one side wall be left too long, the branch beneath will meet the ground before other parts of the shoe and will wear faster (see Figs. 87, 88 and 89).