narrow shoe with a flat surface will be found to 

 possess more advantages for hunting than any 

 other kind, and for common use a flat surface 

 will also prove to he the best, both for security 

 of tread and for wear. 



OJ Caiilkings , 



Formerly it was a general custom to use what 

 were called caulkings, which were made by 

 bending the ends of the shoe. These were in- 

 tended to prevent the horse from slipping ; and as 

 at the time when they were first used the roads 

 were not made of such hard materials as they are 

 at present, the caulkings sunk into the ground, 

 and the bottom of the foot had a pretty equal 

 bearing upon it. This practice, therefore, was 

 not attended with the mischiefs which ensued 

 when the public roads were made more solid and 

 even. 



For when the caulkings cannot sink into the 

 ground, they raise the heels so much as scarcely 

 ever to allow the frog to touch it, and thus pre- 

 vent that degree of friction and pressure which 

 is essential for keeping this part in a healthy 

 state ; for if the perspirable matter be not rubbed 



