FELT OR LEATHER SOLES. 319 



THE EXPANDING SHOE. 



Our subject would not be complete if we did not describe the supposed 

 expanding shoe. It is either seated or concave like the common shoe, 

 with a joint at the toe, by which the natural expansion of the foot is 

 said to be permitted, and the injurious consequences of shoeing pre- 

 vented. There is, however, this radical defect in the jointed shoe, that the 

 nails occupy the same situation as in the common shoe, and prevent, as do 

 the nails of the common shoe, the gradual expansion of the sides and 

 quarters, and allow only of a hinge-like motion at the toe. This is a most 

 imperfect accommodation of the expansion of the foot to the action of its 

 internal parts, and even this accommodation is atforded in the slightest 

 possible degree, or rather can scarcely be afforded at all. Either the nails 

 fix the sides and quarters as in the common shoe, and then the joint at 

 the toe is useless ; or, if that joint merely opens like a hinge, the nail- 

 holes in the shoe can no longer correspond with those in the quarters 

 which are unequally expanding at every point; and, therefore, there will 

 be more stress on the crust at these holes, which will not only enlarge 

 them and destroy the fixed attachment of the shoe to the hoof, but 

 will often tear away portions of the crust. This has, in many cases, been 

 found to be the effect of the jointed shoe : the sides and quarters of the 

 foot have been broken until it has become difficult to find nail-hold. This 

 shoe, to answer the intended purpose, should consist of many joints, run- 

 ning along the sides and quarters, which would make it too complicated 

 and expensive and frail for general use. 



While the shoe is to be attached to the foot by nails, we must be content 

 with the concave seated one, taking care to place the nail-holes as far 

 from the heels, and particularly fiom the inner heel, as the state of the foot 

 and the nature of the work will admit; and where the country is not too 

 heavy nor the work too severe, even omitting the nails on the inner side of 

 the foot. Shoes nailed on the outer side, and at the toe, are more 

 secure than some would imagine, while the inner quarter will be left free, 

 to prevent contraction, or to arrest its progress. 



The attempt, however, to lessen the evils produced by shoeing is most 

 praiseworthy; and men like Mr. Bracy Clark deserve the respect and the 

 thanks of the pubhc, although their labours may not be crowned with suc- 

 cess. Every contrivance permanently to fix the shoe on the foot without 

 the use ofiiailshas failed; but a make-shift shoe has been contrived, and is 

 to be procured at most saddlers, which is easily carried in the pocket, and 

 put on in a minute or two if a shoe is lost in hunting or on the road ; 

 and which will remain securely attached to the foot, and prevent injury to 

 it, during a journey of thirty or forty miles. 



FELT OR LEATHER SOLES. 



When the foot is bruised or inflamed, the concussion or shock produced by 

 the hard contact of the elastic iron on the ground gives the animal much 

 pain, and causes a short and feeling step, or even lameness, and aggravates 

 the injury or disease.^ A strip of felt or leather is sometimes placed between 

 the seating of the shoe and the crust, which, from its want of elasticity, 

 deadens or materially lessens the vibration or shock, and the horse treads 

 more freely and is evidently; relieved. This is a very good contrivance 

 while the inflammation or tenderness of the foot continues, but a very bad 

 practice if constantly adopted. The nails cannot be driven so surely or so 

 securely when this substance is interposed between the shoe and the foot; 



