THE SHOE. 61 



bility to various requirements, are the essentials to be ob- 

 tained in horseshoes ; and if one or more of these is ab- 

 sent in any particular pattern, it can never be generally 

 adopted, and is certain to have but brief success. 



The effects of applying an iron defence to the horse's 

 foot, and securing it to the hoof by means of nails, are 

 no doubt a source of injury to that organ, and even with 

 every care a few of them are unavoidable ; but they are 

 increased in number and heightened in intensity when the 

 shoe is badly constructed and attached ; whereas, by the 

 exercise of a little common sense and observation, those 

 which are not to be avoided may be mitigated. 



The foot, as has been observed, is a perfect organ, 

 formed in harmony with the other parts of the limbs to 

 meet every requirement in bearing weight and aiding 

 movement. 



The hoof, as an integral portion of the foot, possesses 

 these qualities to a high degree, and, but for its inability 

 to withstand incessant wear, would need no assistance 

 from man, except perhaps a little trimming when it be- 

 came overgrown or irregular. Its lower margin — hard, 

 narrow, and projecting slightly beyond the sole — is well 

 adapted to support weight, withstand wear, and retain a 

 hold of the ground ; the concave sole, in addition to its 

 assisting the margin to support weight and wear, also 

 lends its aid in securing a foothold by its hollow surface ; 

 while the angle of the wall at each heel — the " buttress " — 

 would appear to be specially designed to afford a most 

 effective check to the sliding forward of the foot as the 

 animal suddenly pulls up when moving at a fast pace on 

 level ground, or attempts to stop or diminish his descent 

 on a slippery declivity. 



Those who study the functions of the animal body, 

 and who have to restore these when deranged, well know 

 that in their attempts to keep them in a normal condition, 



