SHOEING. Ill 



Tips are equally objectionable on this prin- 

 ciple, and more so if the horse is to be worked 

 (though not quite so liable to get imbedded 

 in the foot). But when a brittle hoof is laid 

 up from contraction, a tip with two nails on each 

 side, close to the toe, will save the crust with- 

 out any impediment to the heels opening ; yet 

 there are two errors universally committed in 

 India in putting on a tip. The heel of the tip 

 is always too thick ; it should slope down to as 

 fine an edge as a dinner-knife blade, and the 

 horn towards the toe should have as much extra 

 pared away, after the foot is finished cutting, as 

 directed under " Cutting the Hoof," as the tip 

 is thick; then the horse is not thrown in the 

 slightest degree more than natural on the heel, 

 which is of great consequence with an oblique 

 pastern. Secondly, a tip should always be narrow. 

 A horse on soft turf, or Bombay sands, may be 

 trotted, or gently cantered, or put in the lounge, 

 with benefit to contraction, and no fear of strain, 

 when tips are made strictly in this way ; and if 

 put on good strong black feet, with open heels, 

 they will prevent contraction taking place, and 

 answer very well for ordinary riding, or even for 

 hunting, in some of the sandy soils of India. 



