320 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 



state ; hence, by being constantly elevated above the 

 ground by the shoe, it becomes more tender, and more 

 susceptible of injury. 



The surface of the sole, in its natural healthy state, 

 is somewhat concave. This shape not only gives the 

 foot a greater hold of the ground, but removes the 

 principal part of the pressure arising from the weight 

 of the body to the edges of the wall and to the frog. 

 The sole, like the root of the hoof, is constantly grow- 

 ing, but this perpetual increase would be kept down 

 sufficiently by the friction were the horse unshod, and 

 in a state of nature, but the sole being raised con- 

 siderably above the ground by the shoe, no part of its 

 surface is w^orn away ; hence the superfluous part 

 detaches itself in scales, which becoming dead and 

 destitute of moisture, breaks off spontaneously. Horses 

 whose feet are weak, sometimes have the sole even 

 convex, by which the original plan of the hoof is 

 completely subverted both in regard to the proper 

 points of support, as well as to the firmness of its po- 

 sition on the ground. 



ON THE EXCELLENCE OF ENGLISH 

 HORSES. 



We quote the following remarks on the superiority 

 of our horses, from a French writer : — 



"It is scarcely two years ago that we were greatly 

 superior to them in this respect, and that Henry the 

 Fourth sent to Queen Elizabeth some beautiful horses, 

 from the stud at Berri, which were much finer than 

 any that England possessed at that period. We have 



