FELT OR LEATHER SOLES. 31 g 



THE EXPANDING SHOE. 



Our subject would not be completed if we did not describe the supposed 

 expanding shoe. It is either seated or concave like the common shoe, 

 with a joint at the toe, by which tlie natural expansion of the foot is said 

 to be permitted, and the injurious consequences of shoeing prevented. 

 There is, however, this radical defect in the jointed shoe, that the nails 

 occupy the same situation as in the common shoe, and prevent, as do 

 the nails of the common slioe, the gradual expansion of the sides and 

 quarters, and allow only of a hinge-like motion at the toe. This is a most 

 imperfect accommodation of the expansion of the foot to the action of its 

 internal parts, and even this accommodation is afforded in the slightest 

 possible degree, or rather can scarcely be aflbrded at all. Either the nails 

 fix the sides and quarters as in the common shoe, and then the joint at. 

 the toe is useless ; or, if that joint merely opens like a hinge, the nail- 

 holes in the shoe can no longer correspond with those in the quarters, 

 which are unequally expanding at every point ; and, therefore, there will 

 be more stress on the crust at these holes, which will not only enlarge 

 them, and destroy the fixed attachment of the shoe to the hoof, but will 

 often tear away portions -of the crust. This has, in many cases, been 

 found to be the efi'ect of the jointed shoe : the sides and quarters of the 

 foot have been broken until it has become difficult to find nail-hold. This 

 shoe, to answer the intended purpose, should consist of many joints, run- 

 ning along the sides and quarters, which would make it too complicated 

 and expensive and frail for general use. 



While the shoe is to be attached to the foot by nails, we must be content 

 with the concave seated one, taking care to place the nail-holes as far from 

 the heels, and particularly from the inner heel, as the state of the foot and 

 the nature of the work will admit ; and where the country is not too heavy 

 nor the work too severe, even omitting the nails on the inner side of the 

 foot. Shoes nailed on the outer side, and at the toe, are more secure than 

 some would imagine, while the inner quarter will be left free, to prevent 

 contraction, or to arrest its progress. 



The attempt, however, to lessen the evils produced by shoeing is most 

 praiseworthy ; and men like Mr. Bracy Clark deserve the respect and the 

 thanks of the public, although their labours may not be crowned with suc- 

 cess. Every contrivance permanently to fix the shoe on the foot loithouL 

 the use of nails has failed; but a make-shift shoe has been contrived, and 

 is to be procured at most saddlers, which is easily carried in the pocket, 

 and put on in a minute or two, if a shoe is lost in hunting or on the road ; 

 and which will remain securely attached to the foot, and prevent injury to 

 it, during a journey of thirty or forty miles. 



FELT OR LEATHER SOLES. 



When the foot is bruised or inflamed, the concussion or shock produced 

 by the hard contact of the elastic iron on the ground gives the animal much 

 pain, and causes a short and feeling step, or even lameness, and aggravates 

 the injury or disease. A strip of felt or leather is sometimes placed between 

 the seating of the shoe and the crust, which, from its want of elasticity, 

 deadens or materially lessens the vibration or shock, and the horse treads 

 more freely and is evidently relieved. This is a very good contrivance 

 while the inflammation or tenderness of the foot continues, but a very bad 

 practice, if constantly adopted. The nails cannot be driven so surely or so 

 securely when this substance is interposed between the shoe and the foot ; 



