318 THE HORSE. 



the end of a hard day's work. This is acknowledg-ed in the hunter's shoe, 

 which is narrower and hghter than that of the hackney with even smaller 

 feet than the hunter ; and it is more decidedly acknowledged in the racer, 

 who wears a shoe only sufficiently thick to prevent it from bending when 

 used. 



THE HUNTING SHOE. 



The hunter's shoe is different from that of the hackney in shape as well as 

 weight. It is not so much bevelled off as the common concave seated 

 shoe. Sufficient space alone is left for the introduction of a picker between 

 the shoe and the sole, otherwise, in going over heavy ground, the clay will 

 get in, and by its tenacity loosen, and even tear off the shoe. The heels 

 likewise are somewhat shorter, that they may not be torn off by the toe of 

 the hind-feet when galloping fast, and the outer heel is frequently and in- 

 judiciously turned up to prevent slipping. The reader will remember 

 what we have just said of this. If calkins are necessary, let, at least, both 

 heels have an equal bearing. 



THE BAR-SHOE. 



A bar-shoe is a very useful contrivance. It is the continuation of the 

 common shoe round the heels, and by means of it the pressure may be 

 taken off some tender part of the foot and thrown on another which is 

 better able to bear it, or more widely and equally diffused over the whole 

 foot. It is principally resorted to in cases of corn, the seat of which it 

 perfectly covers — in pumiced feet, the soles of which may be thus elevated 

 above the ground and secured from pressure, — in sand-crack, when the pres- 

 sure may be removed from the fissure and thrown on either side of it — in 

 thrushes, when the frog is tender, or is become cankered, and requires to be 

 frequently dressed, and the dressing can by this means alone be retained. 

 In these cases the bar-shoe is an excellent contrivance, if worn only for one 

 or two shoeings, or as long as the disease requires it to be worn, but it must 

 be left off as soon as it can be dispensed with. If it be used for the protec- 

 tion of a diseased foot, however it may be chambered and laid off the frog, 

 it will soon be flattened down upon it ; or if the pressure of it be thrown 

 on the frog lo relieve the sand-crack or the corn, that frog must be very 

 strong and healthy which can long bear the great and continued pressure. 

 More mischief is often produced in the frog than previously existed in the 

 part which was relieved. It will be plain that in the use of the bar-shoe for 

 corn or sand-crack, the crust and the frog should be precisely on a level, 

 and the bar should be the widest part of the shoe, to afford as extended 

 bearing as possible on the frog, and therefore less likely to be injurious. 

 Bar-shoes are evidently not safe in frosty weather ; they are never safe when 

 much speed is required from the horse, and they are apt to be wrenched 

 off in a heavy, clayey country. 



TIPS. ^ 



Tips are short shoes, reaching only half round the foot, and worn while 

 the horse is at grass to prevent the crust being torn by the occasional hard- 

 ness of the ground, or by the pawing of the animal ; and the quarters at 

 the same time being free, the loot disposed to contract has a chance of 

 expanding and regaining its natural shape. 



