1 SS HORSE MA XSHIP. 



fore feet towards the toe, the inner side or quarter being 

 the weaker, and usually the higher. In the case of the 

 hind feet the quarters are the strongest points of the crust. 

 From this formation of the fore feet it is evident that the 

 toe is the point intended to and best constructed to with- 

 stand constant battering and friction. The fore toes of 

 horses working without shoes or enlarged on runs are in- 

 variably much worn, especially if the ground be hard. It 

 seems appropriate, therefore, that at this point, above all 

 others, the foot should be armed so as to minimise the wxar 

 and tear, and especially so in that it offers the best nail-hold. 

 With this formation in view, when the foot is of good flinty 

 material we strongly recommend shoeing with ''tips," or 

 at the most three-quarter shoes on the Charlier principle. 

 The Charlier system, though it has many detractors, 

 appears to be as near perfection as possible, for the simple 

 reason that it comes nearest to nature, and permits the 

 sole of the foot to come in full contact with the ground. 

 This invention consists of a narrow rim of pure steel let 

 into the wall of the foot for a certain space round the toe 

 and quarters, leaving the whole of the bottom of the foot 

 in its natural position resting on whatever surface the 

 ground presents. It is contended by some that the paring 

 aw^ay of the wall, in order to form the channel or groove for 

 the reception of the shoe, weakens the encasement of the 

 foot, but seeing that such a material as steel, carefully and 

 exactly fitted, is substituted for horn this argument falls to 

 the ground. The rim of metal protects the crust from 

 injury, whilst the sole, frogs, and bars remain in an unshod 

 condition. The advantages claimed for the system are : — 



(i) It lessens the animal's muscular exertion, rendering 

 him less liable to tire. 



(2) It gives great security for travelling over the most 



