Reflexions on Jlmmg HORSES, 359 



is the hoof that, by its flexibility, yields 

 to the (hoe-heel, which is quite inflexible; 

 the thicker the fhoe-heel is, the more 

 fubjedl that of the horfe is to meet it, and 

 inftead of being eafed, the horfe's heel 

 becomes more compreflTed, as if in a con- 

 Han t vice, becaufe it has always the fame 

 point of fupport. 



By this means they deprive them of ' 

 the liberty of going with eafe upon a 

 pavement; becaufe the flioe does not bear 

 upon a level, and produces an effed, like 

 that of a pivot, upon the middle of the 

 fhoe-heels, and the vault'or hollow. 



To obviate thefe inconveniencies, M. M. La 

 La FoflTe propofes the following method FofTe's 

 of fhoeing ; that neither the fole or frog "J^^^?°^ °^ 

 fhould be pared at all ; for neither will °^^"S' 

 ever become too large by its growth *, 

 but in proportion as it grows, it will dry, 

 fcale, and fall ofl^ in flakes \ that the edge 

 of the hoof, if thought too long, fhould 

 be taken down as ufual \ and then a Ihoe, 

 in form of a half moon, fet on, reaching 

 the middle of the hoof -, the heels may 

 be thinned, and the flioes made a little 

 longer for fuch horfes as have weak 



hoofs. 



A a 4 Eighc 



