174 HORSE-SHOEING. 



healthy functions of the organ. We have seen that the ordinary 

 shoe is extremely imperfect, if it is not diametrically opposite to 

 what we should consider as calculated to protect the foot, secure 

 a good foothold, and interfere but little with its functions. In- 

 stead of supporting the sole at its strongest part, and thus 

 relieving the wall from much of the strain, it rests on the wall 

 alone ; this is contrary to natural indications. The wide space 

 between sole and shoe affords lodgment to foreign bodies which, 

 when the sole is artistically mutilated, may do grievous harm, 

 and it also increase* suction in soft ground ; the hoof shows 

 nothing of this kind. Then, again : the ground-face of the shoe 

 is a wide and smooth plane which, instead of preventing slipping, 

 conduces to it ; or thickened portions project above this face, 

 which disturb the balance and injure the limb, while they are 

 only of very temporary and questionable service in insuring a 

 firm footing. 



In the unshod hoof we see nothing of this, and we are brought 

 to the conclusion, which daily experience amply confirms, that 

 in addition to the ordinary management of the hoof being utterly 

 erroneous , the shoe usually applied to it is very far from what 

 it ought to be. 



Pattern of Shoe Recommended. — If the sole of the hoof has 

 not been mutilated by the knife, it does not require to 

 be covered by the shoe, as Nature has furnished an infi- 

 nitely better protection. Wide-surface shoes can therefore 

 be at once dispensed with, and a narrow shoe, made of the 

 very best and toughest iron, adapted for traveling on slip- 

 pery roads, and for aiding foot and limb, and sufficient to 

 withstand wear for four or five weeks, is all that is required. 

 We will therefore conclude that the upper or foot surface 

 should be the whole width of the shoe, and plane — not bevelled 

 — for we have seen that the sole was destined, particularly 

 at this junction with the wall in front, to sustain weight. 



