71 



collected that the shoe is only an aid to the firm- 

 ness and durability of the crust, and instead of 

 contributing to the elasticity of the tread, has a 

 tendency directly the reverse, and so far, injurious. 



Instead, therefore, of removing any of those 

 parts which are intended by nature to soften and 

 diminish the jar of violent action, it should be our 

 study to preserve them, as far as is consistent with 

 the necessary defence of the crust. It follows, 

 that the frog ought to be allowed to project so far 

 as to meet the ground, though not so low as to be 

 the first part to come in contact with it. 



That part of the external foot which has a plane 

 surface, and extends from the frog to the crust, is 

 called the sole. This, too, is horny and elastic. 

 In a healthy foot it ought to be somewhat con- 

 cave: and this form should be maintained as 

 much as possible, in preparing the foot for the 

 shoe. 



The heels constitute the posterior part of the foot, 

 in which the two branches of the frog terminate, 

 and are also of a very horny consistency. 



The purchaser will, by aid of this little pre- 

 liminary explanation, be very well able to under- 

 stand the practical demonstration which I have 

 advised him to seek from the farrier ; and here I 

 shall drop the description. As he may often hear 



