6o 



feet ; to frame the various kinds of shoes, and attach them properly ; 

 and then to give a reason for his work, would be, I think, one of the 

 finest examples of " Science with Practice." 



176. The horse, in its native wilds, or at grass, seldom has any need 

 of protection for the foot ; but the condition of our roads and streets 

 is such that it is necessary to protect this beautiful structure from 

 injury ; therefore, shoeing becomes a necessity, requiring science and 

 practice for its proper application ; and owing to the great variety of 

 feet met with in the different breeds of horses, and the peculiar formation 

 of some of the hoofs, horse-shoeing (with brains as well as with the 

 hands) is actually of much more importance than it is usually credited 

 with. What is the use of a horse, however good or well-fashioned, if 

 it has not a sound foot to stand upon ? 



177. Varieties of Feet. — Among the different types of feet the 

 following are here noticed : — 



1. Sound Feet. — That which is called a good, strong, sound foot, 



has its front wall inclined at an angle of from 45° to 50°, and 

 has the outside wall more rounded than the inner, which is 

 nearly straight up and down, and has a good concave sole. 

 Although the feet vary in colour, a bluish grey has the 

 preference (see Plate XL, No. 1). 



2. Narrow Feet. — The next type is similar to the first, only the 



heels are much higher, and the quarters, and toe, more upright. 

 Feet of this kind, although serviceable, are, in light-legged 

 horses, liable to contraction, and navicular disease ; while in 

 cart-horses they are most subject to side-bones. The walls 

 and soles are generally strong and hard, but this type requires 

 a great amount of care in shoeing {see Plate XL, No. 2). 



3. Flat Feet. — Some classes of cart and harness-horses have great, 



flat feet, with very large frogs, and open low weak heels, 

 (showing that when the frog meets the ground pressure, the 

 feet expand at the back), and the sole, as a rule, instead of 



