256 THE PRACTICE OF SHOEING. 



effort of the foot to expand, and the equally constant constric- 

 tion by the shoe, wliich is largely responsible for the low, shooting 

 action which horses thus shod soon acquire. Pain is greatest 

 when expansion is greatest. Expansion is greatest when pressure 

 on the posterior parts of the foot is greatest ; pressure on these 

 parts is greatest when the foot descends most nearly perpen- 

 dicularly to the ground, hence the animal avoids raising the 

 foot high and brings it to the ground as obliquely as possible. 



Preparing the foot, fitting and nailing on are delicate opera- 

 tions ; the shoe is ill-adapted for defective or diseased feet, wear 

 is comparatively rapid ; when partly worn, the shoe is liable to 

 spread, and, owing to complications, the system is more costly 

 than ordinary shoeing. 



We do not deny that the Charlier system, when introduced, 

 had many good points ; it taught the farrier to spare the sole 

 and bars, it drew attention to the need of frog pressure, and it 

 showed the advantages of light as opposed to" heavy shoes. At 

 the present day it is still useful as a front shoe for ponies and 

 hunters with small narrow feet, for animals which slip on 

 smooth pavements, and for those with commencing contraction 

 of the foot ; but to the reputation of a panacea, formerly 

 awarded it, the Charlier system has forfeited all claim. 



9. TIPS. 



The tip covers the toe and a portion of the quarters and only 

 protects the anterior half of the hoof against wear. There are 

 two kinds ; firstly, the ordinary tip, and secondly, the modified 

 or Charlier tip. 



The advantages of this method of shoeing consist in the light 

 weight of the shoe, which in the case of ordinary tips is about 

 five to seven ounces and in Charlier four to seven ounces ; but 

 principally in the fact that the posterior half of the hoof comes 

 directly in contact with the ground, giving more frog-pressure, 

 diminishing slipping, moderating the shock to the limb, and 

 favouring circulation in the hoof, thus producing a more rapid 

 growth of horn and increasing the strength of the foot, while 

 allowing of the freest possible expansion and contraction. Tips 

 are very useful for hunters ' turned up rough.' Nevertheless, 



