240 THE I>ERFECT HORSE. 



and which is made to retain bundles of tow steeped in 

 tar or some pernicious substance. It is scarcely neces- 

 sary to say that this artificial covering is but a poor 

 substitute for that which has been so foolishly, and with 

 so much careful labor, cut away: indeed, in several 

 respects, the leather sole, even when only placed be- 

 tween the wall and the shoe, and not over the entire 

 surface, is very objectionable. 



" Seeing, therefore, the natural provision existing in 

 the sole of the hoof for its diminution in thickness 

 when necessary, and knowing that the intact sole is the 

 best safeguard against injury and deterioration to this 

 region, it must be laid down as a rule in farriery, — and 

 from which there must be no departure, — that this part 

 is not to be interfered with, on any pretence, so long as 

 the foot is in health : not even the flakes are to be 

 disturbed. 



"• Faring the Frog. — This part of the hoof is that 

 which, in the opinion of the grooms and coachmen, most 

 requires cutting^ ' to prevent its coming on the ground, 

 and laming the horse ; ' and this reason, together with 

 its softer texture, causes it to be made the sport of the 

 farrier's relentless knife. It is artistically and thorough- 

 ly trimmed, the fine elastic horn being sliced away, 

 sometimes even to the quick ; and, in its sadly-reduced 

 form, it undergoes the same changes as have been ob- 

 served in the pared sole. No wonder, then, that it can- 

 not bear touching the ground any more than the sole. 

 Strip the skin off the sole of a man's foot, and cause 



