THE CHARLIER SHOE. 123 



or depth (this remark applies to the sensible as well as 

 the horny frog)^ thereby forming the effectual and elastic 

 shield to the bottom of the navicular bone which it is fair 

 to conclude that Nature intended it to be. Then that 

 the shoe cannot be worn by hunters is a mistake^ as 

 experience has proved the contrary. They are^ indeed, 

 less likely to come off than any other kind of shoe, as 

 there is so little suction in deep ground, whilst it is 

 wholly impossible that the hind shoe can catch them. 

 As to horses so shod slipping about, they cannot slip 

 more than unshod horses, who are not remarkable for 

 that failing. No one who has ridden a run after losing a 

 shoe can affirm that his horse slipped more than usual, I 

 imagine ; and, on the other hand, the old shoe does not 

 secure immunity from slipping. 



Serious, nay, fatal accidents, have occurred from horses 

 slipping at their fences when shod in the usual way. The 

 frog, however, when it touches the ground, should act as 

 a wedge, and prevent slipping. Some horses will always 

 sKp, shoe them as you may; others comparatively 

 never. 



These remarks apply to the fore feet only. Let us now 

 consider the case of the hind ones. 



That the Charlier shoe places the hind feet in a natural 

 position is incontestible, nor do I think that a horse so 

 shod could " cut -^^ but, from the way in which the hind 

 foot comes to the ground, I fancy the shoe would wear 

 through at the toe rather too rapidly.* 



I will conclude by giving three instances which have 

 come under my personal observation, in which the appli- 



* Experience has, since this was written, proved the contrary ; 

 overreach cvis are r.lso to the greatest possible extent guarded 

 against. 



