40 



SHOEING. 



frog-pressure, the frog becomes larger, firm- 

 er, and more elastic ; while raising the frog 

 from contact causes it to become small and 

 hard, the quarters to draw in, and the whole 

 foot to diminish more or less in size. But if 

 not accustomed to pressure, it should be 

 given gradually, in connection with keeping 

 the feet thoroughly softened, so as not to 

 excite inflammation or soreness. It would 

 not do for a man accustomed to wearing 

 boots for years to suddenly go barefoot on 

 rough, hard ground. The skin on the feet 

 is so thin that they would be made sore, 

 and would be liable to serious inflamma- 

 tion. In like manner it would not be pru- 

 dent to bring the heels and frog of a horse's 

 foot that has long been protected by shoes, suddenly to the ground. 

 If there is but little contraction, with fairly good condition of the 

 feet, all that will be necessary to do is to level down the feet, and 



Fig. 491.— Adjustable Calks. 



Fig. 492. — Model of Shoe for Express Horses. 

 From Dr. HamiU's Collection. 



Fig. 493. — The Goodenough Shoe. 



remove any surplus of old horn from the sole, put on thin-heeled 

 shoes, and keep the feet soft by moisture. 



The next simplest and best method would be to use the convex 

 shoe. See Figs. 552 -554. After leveling and trimming out the 

 foot properly, as betore explained, cut away or weaken the arch bc- 

 23 a 



