HORSE-TRAINING MADE EAST. iJS 



preserve the natural bearing of the foot : 2d. To 

 preserve the hoof in its natural shape : 3d. 

 To protect the foot from injury. If we observe 

 the foot of the unshod horse, we find the hoof has 

 a perfectly level bearing upon the crust or wall 

 as it rests upon the ground, as well as upon the 

 frog, which, as previously stated, acts as an elastic 

 cushion preventing concussion and expanding the 

 heels, which relieves the pressure upon the sensi- 

 tive and delicate structu»re within the hoof, that 

 otherwise would occur were the hoof hard and 

 unyielding It is unnecessary as well as unin- 

 teresting to the general reader for us to go into a 

 minute description of the structure of the horse's 

 foot. Those who desire such information can obtain 

 it by consulting Jennings on "The Horse and his 

 Diseases." The sole or ground surface of the foot 

 is all that part of the foot situated between the 

 frog and the crust or wall; this sole should not 

 come in contact with either the ground or the 

 shoe. Supposing now the reader to understand 

 our meaning, 



In order to preserve the level bearing of the 

 foot, it is necessary that the shoe be made with 

 a perfectly level surface upon the foot side, for 

 the crust to rest upon. Beyond that point it 

 should be bevelled inwards, in order to prevent 

 pressure upon the sole. The frog should remain 

 untouched with the knife, except to trim off any 

 ragged edges. The moment the substance of the 

 frog is cut away, that moment it begins to lose its 

 moisture , hence its elasticity. It becomes hard 



