142 HOESE AND MAN. 



CHAPTER IX. 



The shoe useful in 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 — MansBeld Parkyns in Abyssinia 

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

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

 between the Indian's pony and th.e high-bred horse — Exrnoor 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 



