SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



159 



Fig. 15. 



Figures 14 and 15— Represent (ground side upward) an Eng- 

 lish fore and hind foot hunting or racing shoe, suitable for any kind 

 of light saddle work. The fore foot shoe is dished or concaved on 

 the ground surface, so as to give as near as possible the same form 

 of tread and grasp as the hollow surface of the unshod foot. The 

 hind shoe is rounded on the lower side, for the threefold purpose of 

 affording strength in small bulk, giving a firm hold to the foot in 

 leaping or galloping, and coming easily out of deep ground. It is 

 commonly fitted with two tips, instead of one, to allow of the hoof 

 projecting slightly beyond the shoe right in front, and preventing 

 the annoying custom of forging, or striking the front of the hind 

 shoe on the fore one, and the more dangerous one of over-reaching. 



Firr. 



16. 



Figure 1G — Represents the ground side of the shoe worn at 

 present in all the British cavalry regiments. Until a few years ago 

 the shoeing of each regiment was under the entire direction of its 

 own Veterinary Surgeon ; and though all agreeing in tbe same gen- 

 eral principles, considerable diversity existed in some of the details, 



