THE FOOT. 91 



on the sole and frog. They receive the downward pressure 

 of the cokimn of bones and destroy shock." 



It is easy to understand from the above something of the 

 dehcate character of the horse's foot. 



Ordinarily the horses may be kept at work without inter- 

 ruption, whether barefooted or not. There is not one per 

 cent, of danger in this respect which is usually feared. If 

 the barefooted horse actually becomes so tender as to limp, 

 a condition of affairs which will rarely be seen except under 

 the severest circumstances, the tenderness will only be tem- 

 porary and in no way injure his value. If this stage should 

 develop, thin, light toe-clips may be tacked on, or a piece of 

 the best sole leather shaped to fit the foot and nailed to it 

 the same as a shoe. When this is worn off the foot will 

 have regained its natural toughness and none of the elas- 

 ticity of the frog will have been destroyed meanwhile. 

 Some horses with thin soles will require this protection for a 

 short time, more, however, because of stepping upon small 

 stones, etc. , and causing temporary change of gait, than be- 

 cause the foot is worn down. Actual wearing is beneficial 

 rather than otherwise, as it encourages nature to put forth an 

 eftbrt toward self-protection, which results in bigger, better 

 feet, including a growth of that wonderful cushion, the frog. 

 The leather shoe will recjuire close watching, and the team- 

 ster should carry pincers to remove the nails at any time they 

 project in a way threatening to scratch the horse. 



Go slow about having the colt shod. If he has been al- 

 lowed sufficient exercise his feet will l)e strong and tough, 

 and you may go right on working and driving without shoes 

 by standing in wet clay occasionally an hour or two. Should 

 his hoofs become short and tender, have him shod with tips, 

 which are very light, short, narrow shoes, only reaching 

 back to where the last nail is usuallv driven, leaving the 



