Tip Shoes 



105 



only half way back and are thin at the ends. They 

 are applied by cutting away the wall at the toe until 

 the tip can be put on and the foot kept level. Tips 

 never have calks. The advantages 

 of tips are many. They allow the 

 heel to come to the ground, thus 

 giving plenty of frog pressure, 

 which is so important in preserv- 

 ing a healthy foot. The tip of 

 steel protects the hoof from too 

 rapid wearing away, and keeps 

 the wall from splitting. Sole, 

 heel and frog all coming in con- 

 tact with the ground or pavement, 

 the animal is able to get a good 

 grip, and thus to avoid slipping. 

 After a horse has been driven with 

 tips for a time the hoof becomes 

 tough and seems to wear away 

 very slowly. If tips are well ap- 

 plied, they usually give excellent results, both on dirt 

 roads and pavements. 



Fig. 26. Contracted foot 

 shod with tip shoe 



FITTING THE SHOE 



The sole of the foot should be kept perfectly level, 

 as any undue weight on one side of the foot may lead 

 to injuries of the joints. All loose horn should be re- 

 moved, and the wall of the hoof leveled with the sole. 

 The bars should not be cut away, as they act as natural 

 braces to the heels; and the frog is to be left in its 



