SHOEING. 



115 



Sucli accidents are, however, fortunately more rare than the substance 

 of the shoe might lead most readers to suppose. Nevertheless, a greater 

 injury is consummated by affixing a fetter, which prevents the elasticity 

 of the quarters aiding the exertions of the animal, while, from its dimen- 

 sion, it can aiford but little protection to the foot. How much the speed 

 of the racer must be dependent upon that elasticity with which the quar- 

 ters are endowed, may be judged of by any person who has ever visited 

 a race-course and beheld the horses trot previous to the start. Who can 

 have failed to notice the play of fetlock by which "the blood action" is 

 characterized ? Now, nature never forms one part an exception to the 



AN OLD AND A MODERN RACING PLATE. 



.whole. She delights in harmony ; consequently the spring which resides 

 in the fetlock is positive evidence of the elasticity which belongs to the 

 unfettered foot. But the bounding property, which the frog, sole, and 

 quarters would naturally provide, the trainer counteracts, in order to im- 

 pose a dangerous article, which is not a horse shoe, nor even a respectable 

 substitute for one. 



It is so formed, however, as to exercise the 

 worst functions of the regular shoe. It is a 

 fetter upon the foot, and firmly impales the 

 quarters, thereby seriously crippling the animal 

 and impeding the natural power. If any part 

 of a thorough-bred's foot required metallic pro- 

 tection, it could only be the toe ; for this part 

 alone is employed during the horse's quickest 

 pace. The other portions of the hoof touch 

 the ground, when aiding the spring ; but these 

 are never used with that amount of energy 

 which necessitates anything approaching arti- 

 ficial defense. Now, the plate and its nails 

 check expansion ; these also oppose that force of rebound residing in the 

 fioof and in its various structures. The best horse must feel the bondage 



A TIP OR HALF SHOE NAILED ONLY 

 TO THE TOE, AND LEAVING BOTH 

 THE QUARTERS FREE. 



