THE SHOEING OF HORSES. 5 1 



or reactive force of the agent is so great as to speedily loosen 

 the shoes, by forcing the clenches, and thus is neutralised any 

 good which otherwise might result. Leathers, when applied to 

 the feet under certain conditions of the organ, are beneficial 

 in several ways. 



T. The sole and frog of the foot are better to have a moderate 

 degree of pressure, provided such pressure can be equally 

 distributed over the entire surfaces of the frog and the 

 sole. Leather is the best medium yet in use to effect 

 this equalization of pressure on the parts named. 



2. The feet of horses in large towns, from rarely or ever 



coming in contact with soft moist ground, become ex- 

 ceedingly hard, dry, and brittle ; and cows' dung, the 

 substance generally applied to produce a more favourable 

 state of the foot, cannot at all times be readily secured ; 

 a leather sole and a stopping of tar and tow are the best 

 to apply for the purpose. 



3. Feet having thin, flat soles, and low, weak heels, are 



generally tender. Leather soles are the best protectors 

 to such feet. 



4. Feet having bad thrushes, corns, bruise of the sole, stabs 



or injuries from the nails in shoeing, canker, an irregular 

 broken or splintered state of the wall from any cause 

 whatever, pumiced feet, and numerous other types and 

 forms of an abnormal character, require either the per- 

 manent or temporary use of leathers. 



