142 HORSE AND MAN. 



CHAPTER IX. 



The shoe useful iu proportion to its lightness Therefore, the best shoe 

 seems to be none at all Capability of the human foot Value of an 

 army dependent on its marching power Lord Wolseley's axiom Edin- 

 burgh lasses Moccasin versus boot Mansfield Parky ns in Abyssinia 

 Ladies and children at the sea-side Charles Waterton in Guiana 

 Col. Dodge's account of the North American Indian's pony A race 

 between the Indian's pony and the high-bred horse Exnioor and 

 Dartmoor ponies Description of these ' moors ' How to make a 

 horse's hoof tender The hoof an organ of all- work Saddle and 

 draught Col. Burnaby's opinion. 



Now we are brought face to face with a problem 

 which cannot well be avoided. We have seen that 

 the value of the shoe is in inverse ratio to its weight, 

 its dimensions, and its interference with the natural 

 functions of the hoof. 



The thick, heavy shoe, with calkins, clips, and toe- 

 piece, is the worst, while the light Charlier tip, which 

 is countersunk into the horn of the toe, is the best. 

 The logical conclusion is, that as the horse is benefited 

 in proportion as the shoe is diminished, it might, 

 unless under very exceptional circumstances, be more 

 benefited by having no shoe at all. 



No one who has the least acquaintance with the 



