558 THE HORSE. 
and another at the outer quarter. In light horses one, two, or three nails 
can be dispensed with. Sometimes, instead of a clip at the toe, the shoe 
is turned up in the French fashion, as recommended by Mr. Goodwin ; 
this plan is very advantageous when horses are in the habit of hitting 
the toe and tripping, or wearing it in undue proportion. In contracted 
feet the application of this shoe has materially enlarged the foot, quite as 
much as it is desirable to do ; indeed, I believe if it were applied early, 
contracted feet would be altogether avoided. It is also calculated in great 
measure to prevent corns, from bearing so easy on the inside heel.” 
These are admirable directions, with the exception of the clip on the 
outside, which I strongly object to as destroying so much of the crust for 
no useful purpose. I much prefer them to those of Mr. Miles, who has 
taken credit for more than he really deserves, as the originator of the 
present fashion for a small number of nails. If his drawings of shoes 
are examined, it will be seen that though his nail holes are few in number 
the outside nails are carried nearer the heels than usual, and the hindmost 
inside nail is quite as far back as the third nail as driven by most good 
smiths. Mr. Spooner’s plan of filing the heels, with a slight inclination 
outwards, is excellent, as it has a tendency to prevent the heel of the 
crust from curling inwards, and may possibly cause it to expand slightly 
in the contrary direction. I confess, however, that I cannot see what 
there is in his shoe to make “the bearing so easy on the inside heel.” 
On the contrary, the bevelling outwards of the heel of the shoe has a 
tendency to cause an increase of pressure on the seat of corn, rather than 
to relieve it. My own opinion is that it does neither the one nor the other, 
unless the shoe is twisted bodily outwards. 
THE SHOE USED IN HUNTING is made of a different shape as regards the 
seating, being only slightly relieved with the file at this part, so as to 
avoid any approach to convexity, and hollowed on the outside, in a manner 
similar to the form adopted in the inside of the ordinary shoe ; thus— 
Fio 8 —Hunvinc SHor ror Orr Fore Foor, coNCAVE ON THE GROUND SIDE. 
A. Concavity made to give foothold, and Jighten the shoe. 
