THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 187 



sliaped, generally elliptically, and was put on the foot 

 red-hot ; the result was what might be expected — the 

 functions of the bars and frog were destroyed, and the 

 ill-snaped shoe actmg with these, contraction in its 

 worst form appeared, while the application of the hot 

 shoe dried up the moisture of the crust 



The first who made any reformation in this method 

 was Lafosse : he introduced the half-moon shoe. This 

 was a material improvement ; its semicircular shape 

 was more adapted to the healthy hoof, and not reach- 

 ing beyond the middle of the foot, the nails were placed 

 near the toe ; hitherto their situation had been nearer 

 the heels, which prevented a proper action of the sole 

 and frog, and thus destroying the natural spring and 

 elasticity of the foot. 



Bracken and Bartlet made Lafosse's treatise known 

 in England, but his method had this disadvantage, that 

 in the canter the horses were apt to slip, and the heels 

 were worn down very fast. 



To Lafosse succeeded William Osmer, who first 

 prohibited the extensive paring of the hoof that had as 

 yet been practised. The crust was made smooth by 

 rasping ; the frog and bars were only to be cut where 

 the edges were ragged : the shoe was equally thick in 

 every part ; the surface next the ground was flat, but 

 narrower behind than before. 



Many now appeared who introduced various methods 

 of shoeing and forms of shoes, all of which displayed 

 more or less ingenuity. Lord Pembroke and Mr. 

 Bracey Clark deserve mention. The Veterinary Col- 

 lege threw out many hints and improvements, and Mr. 

 Coleman laboured much to extend the knowledge al- 

 ready obtained. 



Mr. Clark's shoe did not materially differ from that 

 recommended by Osmer : he raised many objections 



