THE HORSE. 27 



sound ; for no disease is cured, whether sand-cracks, 

 corns, thrushes, or whatever else it may be, so long as 

 these shoes are necessary. 





Leather Soles. 



What has been said of bar shoes applies equally to 

 leather soles also ; for, where it is necessary to use these 

 to enable the horse to perform his work safely or pro- 

 perly, as he requires extra care, the horse is not sound, 

 let the cause be what it may. 



No one will dispute that leather soles are of great 

 good, enabling many a horse to work soundly that 

 otherwise would be in great pain. They are - much 

 safer than bar shoes, where they answer the purpose, 

 as the horse has a better hold of the ground. They are 

 also less likely to produce thrushes or waste the frogs. 

 For some feet, gutta-percha is better adapted than 

 leather, on account of its being harder, and less yielding 

 to sharp stones, particularly in wet weather. It is not 

 so well, however, when the sole is not to be covered, 

 scept in the case of corns. 





Ring Bones. 



Ring bones are situate above the hoof, being an 

 ossification of the cartilages at the top of the coronet. 



