60 



THE HORSE S FOOT, 



Fig. 12. 



Fig. 12 — Represents the same foot with the shoe rendered transparent 

 showing what parts of the foot are covered and protected by bfing < 

 ing in the heels of the shoe 



a a a. The crust, with the shoe closely fitted all round. 



b b. The bars, protected by the shoe. 



c c. The heels, supported by the shoe. 



d. The situation of corns protected from injury. 



If we compare Fig. 12 with Fig. 10 we shall be struck 

 with the disproportion in the utility of the two shoes, as de- 

 ences for the horse's foot. 



In the one just described every atom of the shoe is made 

 available for support or protection ; while in the other a very 

 considerable portion is not only utterly wasted, by being 

 thrust out beyond the hoof, but is actually converted into a 

 source of evil, — receiving on the inner side the occasional 

 tread of the other foot, — on the outer, that of another horse, — 

 and on both, resistance to the withdrawal of the foot out of 

 stiff ground, thereby risking the shoe being dragged off; for 

 when the shoe projects beyond the crust it makes an opening 

 larger than the foot can fill, and the clay curling over the 

 ledges which are formed by the projecting portions of the 

 shoe, offers a resistance to its return exactly proportioned to 

 the depth to which it may have sunk into the ground : but 

 where the shoe has been accurately fitted, the weight of the 

 horse expanding the foot while it is still in the ground en 



