126 ESSAY ON SHOEING HORSES. 



It has upon its outer edge a narrow projection, of even thickness, 

 ■with a thin internal web — the narrow projection forming a continuous 

 calk, in which is a groove through which the nails are driven. The 

 web is much thinner, and the whole shoe thus formed, weighs about 

 one-fourth less than any common shoe, and at the same time is 

 stronger and stiffer. 



This shoe possesses the following advantages, viz. : 



First. Is less in weight than any other of the same size. 



Second. Admits of being nailed around the toe, where the shell 

 of the hoof is thicker than at any other part, and of course requires 

 less nails at the heels, or quarters, leaving this part of tha foot free, 

 neither being crowded in or out by being confined to a rigid bar of 

 iron. 



Third, Admits of the frog coming in contact more readily with 

 the earth, thereby absorbing the requisite moisture to keep it in a 

 healthy condition and soft, as nature intended, in order that it might 

 act as an elastic cushion, to receive in part the force of the blow and 

 prevent injury to the whole system when stepping on hard surfaces 

 or stones. 



Fourth. Prevents the slipping of the foot either back or side- 

 ways on any soil or surface when traveling — and with the same mus- 

 cular power, a horse will travel more miles per day. 



Fifth. Greater ease and comfort when standing, as the foot is 

 raised alike at the heel and toe, and bears upon the shell in a natural 

 manner. 



Sixth. The internal web protects the sole from injury by contact 

 with any hard substances — and also prevents hailing. 



Seventh. Great economy in shoeing. 



This shoe is in every respect superior for all horses used for mili- 

 tary purposes. 



The shoe is made of puddled iron, of the very best charcoal-bloif'iil 

 iron with steel calks, and of all steeL 



HORSE SHOES SHOULD BE CONCAVE NEXT THE GROUND — EVILS OP 

 CREATING LENGTHY TOES. 



One of the principal objects in applying shoes to the feet of horses, 

 is to preserve the concavity of the natural foot, at its sole. A horse 

 in his natural state, and, indeed, up to the moment of affixing the 

 first pairs of shoes to his feet, lias a noticeable concavity of sole ; 

 the hoof somewhat projecting beneath the sole, may be compared to 

 claws, or to the nails of man, each of which aid in securing so many 

 points of resistance ; hence, in the case of a horse, such conforma- 

 tion of foot aids materially to prevent slipping on smooth pavements, 

 also secures good foothold, so that the body can be advanced with 

 less muscular exertion than if the shoe and foot presented to the 

 ground a convexity, in which case no hold or fulci'um could be 

 obtained. 



The evils of a convex, or even flat surface, next the ground, is 

 best observable in the hind extremities, the main use of which is the 

 propulsion of the body forwards, and when hauling a loaded vehicle, 

 also. In accomplishing the labor, the power is derived from the 

 muscles and tendons ; the bones of tho leg are the compound levers ; 



