hE THE HORSE. 
of the foot very nearly describe a semicircle, and on viewing the form of 
the joints connected with action, the necessity for a curve at the toe is 
clearly demonstrated. Again, the form of the shoe, worn out, at once 
shows that it must be more suitable to put on a new one of that form, 
rather than to suffer the action of the leg to be opposed until it is worn to 
that form. In the second part of the action, when the foot comes to the 
ground, the quarters and heels touch first, and they are the only parts 
occupied in placing it on the ground again. There may be deviations 
from this general rule, as in those horses that have bad action; also when 
horses are drawing heavy weights, it must necessarily differ. The fore 
legs may be considered simply as pillars of support, having no power of 
themselves to propel the body forward, progression being entirely per- 
formed by the hind parts; and if it were not so, the action would be 
Fie. 4.—THE FRENCH SHOE. 
different, as I have before observed it to be in those horses which have 
great weights to draw, and this may be more readily observed in any 
draught horse going up hill. I have offered these few remarks on action, 
in order to bring the reader’s attention to the curve of the French shoe at 
the toe. This form of shoe certainly harmonises more with the motion of 
the fore foot than the English does ; it affords a greater surface of bearing 
at the toe than the projecting ridge of the straight ordinary shoe, and is 
much more calculated to allow of the motion of the leg and foot; the 
labour of the muscles is also diminished, and the limb being in its natural 
position, the ligaments have less imposed upon them; they are more at 
ease, and consequently are not so liable to be strained. The shape of the 
coffin-bone is also another proof of the French system being more con- 
sistent with the principles of nature than the straight ordinary shoe. If 
the coffin-bone of a fore foot be placed on a level surface, the quarters and 
heels are the only parts in contact with it, which proves that they are 
intended by nature to meet the ground first, and to bear the greater pro- 
portion of weight; but if the quarters of the hoof be removed (lowered or 
diminished) to admit of the straight shoe, the portion of weight intended 
to be borne on the quarters must be thrown upon the heels; and hence 
the great mischief which ensues from the common (plain) English shoe.” 
