HORSE-SHOEING. 201 



of the foot to come in direct contact with the ground along with 

 the frog, a three-quarter shoe is often applied — the portion of 

 iron extending from the inside quarter to the point of the heel 

 being cut off, and the shoe at this part thinned a little. The 

 horn left unprotected is never interfered with. This is an excel- 

 lent shoe for saddle and carriage, and even draught horses, which 

 may be employed on the worst roads while wearing it. For feet 

 that have suffered very much from the effects of rasping and 

 paring, and which are liable to have bruised heels (or corns), its 

 use is attended with the greatest benefit. 



The same may be said of " tips" or half-shoes. An unreason- 

 able prejudice appears to exist against the use of these light, 

 short plates ; but if they are applied in appropriate cases, there 

 can be no doubt whatever that they are entitled to a far larger 

 share of attention than they have yet received. Their very 

 limited employment hitherto may have arisen from the imperfect 

 manner in which they have been used. They protect those parts 

 of the wall most exposed to damage by wear, extending around 

 the toe and reaching no farther than the quarters ; while the 

 heels and frog, when left unpared and unrasped, are strong 

 enough to meet all demands made upon them, at the same time 

 they are not deprived of their physiological functions. 



In addition to these considerations, the diminution in the 

 weight of the shoe is a matter of some importance. Of course, 

 the three-quarters shoe and tip are only required for the fore- 

 feet ; the hind-feet shoes, so long as they are level, are not over 

 heavy, and do not wound the opposite limbs, may be of the 

 ordinary pattern. On this difference between the management 

 of the fore and hind foot we cannot too much insist. The fore- 

 foot is particularly disposed to disease and injury ; the hind-foot 

 is wonderfully exempt. So much is this the case, indeed, that 

 the proper management of the first is all important, while the 



