50 THE SHOEING OF HORSES. 



search after new remedies, under circumstances of this nature, 

 will not be attended with any better result to the comfort and 

 welfare of our dumb servants. 



Shoeing with Leathers. — Shoeing with leathers is a common 

 practice in large towns like Manchester, especially to horses of the 

 heavy draught breed. There are two modes in general practice by 

 which leathers are applied to the feet of horses. 



1. By leather soles cut to the size of the foot, and placed 



between the shoe and the foot, and made secure with 

 nails. 



2, The second mode is by what receives the name of ring 



leathers. 



A ring leather is a piece of the article cut of the same form and size 

 as the shoe, and secured to the foot along with the shoe. The 

 ring leather forms a kind of second shoe ; and if properly applied, 

 and carefully secured in a way that its ends cannot become loose, 

 it may prove of great service in modifying concussion. A ring 

 leather elevates the sole and wall further from the ground than 

 these parts otherwise would be. Ring leathers are generally used 

 to the feet of light horses. India-rubber, cut to the form stated, 

 has been tried in place of leather, under the name of " cushion " to 

 the foot, and letters patent have been taken out to secure what 

 pecuniary gain might arise from its use. The best application of 

 india-rubber for this purpose is the one patented by the late John 

 Fowler, engineer, of Leeds. The india-rubber cushion does not 

 answer unless by the mode patented by Mr. Fowler ; the elasticity 



