CHAPTER X. 



MISCELLANEOUS SUBJECTS 



Thick-Heeled Shoes. 



I wish to contribute my quota, of experience about a mat- 

 ter that is of considerable importance to our craft. "The 

 custom of applying- hind shoes made very thick, or feather- 

 edged, on the inside, was one that became prevalent from 

 the beginning- of the present century. Its supposed influ- 

 ence as a remedy against cutting was founded, on the 

 hypothesis that bj' raising the inside of the foot the past- 

 ern joint was tilted outward, which was supposed to enable 

 the elevated foot to pass the limb planted on the ground 

 without touching it. The same injurious practice has been 

 more or less extended to the fore feet, on the faith of some 

 such speculative notions. It has also been supposed that 

 thick-heeled shoes give support to the joint and tendons ; 

 while, again, horses are shod with the outside heel of the 

 hind shoe turned up and the inside made thick, with the 

 idea of giving the foot a level bearing. These belong to 

 some of the Old World notions, w^hich have led to the twist- 

 ing of the horse's legs, the jar and injury of their feet and 

 joints, resulting in splints, spavins, and other affections of 

 the hock joint, all of which diseases have become prevalent 

 through ignorant malpractice. 



The objections here urged do not appl3^ to the use of calk- 

 ins, which are often useful, especially for draught horses. 

 The safety of a sound horse in action, and when his move- 



