660 



SHOEING. 



once shows that it must be more suitable to put on a new one of 

 that form, rather than to suffer the action of the leg to be opposed 

 until it is worn to that form. 



" The fore legs may be 

 considered simply as pillars 

 of support, having no pow- 

 er of themselves to prop(;l 

 the body forward, progres- 

 sion being entirely per- 

 formed by the hind parts. 

 If it were not so, the action 

 would be different, as I 

 have before observed it to 

 be in those horses that have 

 ,T 1 1 p 17 IV I • oreat weights to draw ; and 



Fig. 4<3. — Model of a French shoe, showing 8 "" & ' _ 



average amount of curve. this may bo more readily 



observed in any draught horse going up hill. I have offered these 

 remarks upon action, in order to bring the reader's attention to 

 the curve of the French shoe at the toe. This form of shoe cer- 

 tainly harmonizes more with the motion of the fore foot than the 

 English shoe does ; it affords a greater surface of bearing at the 

 toe than the projecting ridge 



jfj n.itn,r///n. 





of the straight, ordinary shoe, 

 and is much more calculated to 

 allow of the motion of the leg 

 and foot ; the labor of the 

 muscles is also diminished, and 

 the limb being in its natural 

 position, the ligaments have 

 less imposed upon them ; tlu y 

 are more at ease, and conse- 

 quently are not so liable to be 

 stranunl." 



A moderate rounding at the toe would seem desirable in all 

 cases where there is want of mobility. It is especially desirable 

 when the horse is a little stiff or sore, as it enables him to travel 

 much easier. This is proved Avhen the mobility of the foot is 

 destroyed, and thei'e is necessity for using a rounded shoe to con- 

 form with the action, Wlien winter shoes, ov calk shoes, must be 



Fig. 479. — French shoe — taken from an 

 old work. See Navicular Lameness. 



