236 THE AUT OF THE FARRIER. 



is half so cffiacacious ; in addition, it is a capital agent in sustain- 

 ing weight, and in keeping the whole foot healthy and perfect in 

 form."* 



It will thus be seen to what a simple matter the preparation of 

 the healthy foot for the shoe is reduced. To maintain this 

 organ in a sound and perfectly healthy condition, we must guard 

 especially against its mutilation. 



The particular form of the shoe to be applied is of far less im- 

 portance than a strict adherence to the rules which we have laid 

 down for the preparation of the foot. There are, however, several 

 points to be considered. The shoe most frequently adopted pre- 

 sents a concave surface to the foot, and a flat surface to the 

 ground ; a construction evidently called forth by the mutilation to 

 which the sole has been subjected, and which renders it totally 

 unfit to sustain any pressure whatever. Exactly the opposite 

 characteristics are exhibited by the shoe best adapted to the 

 protection of the foot which has been preserved in its natural 

 condition. It presents a concave surface to the ground, while the 

 plain surface is attached to the foot. In this way, the wall and a 

 portion of the sole are called upon to sustain a proportionate part 

 of the weight, and there is much less chance afforded for the 

 lodgement of stones and other foreign bodies between the web of 

 the shoe and the foot. Whatever form be adopted, it is most 

 essential that the shoe should fit the foot, and in its outline follow 

 the exact shape of its ground surface. The usual method of shoe- 

 ing, which allows considerable projection of the heels of the 

 shoe, both in length and breadth, is in many cases objectionable, 

 especially as no benefit can be derived therefom, and, when speed 

 is required, there is always more or less danger of the shoe being 

 torn oflf, by the other feet coming in contact with it. 



The weight of the shoe must depend upon circumstances, but it 

 should in all cases be made as light as the nature of the services 

 of the animal will permit. Some curious statistics made by a 

 French veterinary professor, show the importance of this consid- 

 eration. He says, " If, at the termination of a day's work, we 

 calculate the weight represented by the mass of iron in the heavy 

 shoes a horse is condemned to carry at each step, we shall arrive 

 at a formidable array of figures, and in this way be able to esti- 

 mate the amount of force uselessly expended by the animal in 



♦ Practical Horseshoeing, by Q. Fleming, F.R.Q.S., &o. 



