LA FOSSE'S RULES FOR SHOEING. 



479 



before, but particularly in the latter, because the weight 

 of the body falls heaviest there. The shorter the shoe is 

 the less the horse slips, and the frog has the same in- 

 fluence in preventing this that an old hat placed under 

 our own shoes would have in protecting us from slipping 

 on ice. 



'It is necessary, nevertheless, that hoofs which have weak 

 walls should be a little longer shod, so that the gradually 

 thinning branches reach to the heels, though not resting 

 upon them. For horses which have thin convex soles 

 ipieds combles), these long shoes should be also used, and 

 the toes should be more covered to prevent the sole touch- 

 ing the ground ; at the same time, the shoe must be so 

 fitted that it does not press upon the sole, and the heels 

 and frog rest upon the ground ; this is the only true 

 method of preserving the foot and restoring it.' ' A horse 

 which has its heels weak and sensitive ought to be shod 

 as short as possible, and with thin branches {Sponges), so 

 that the frog comes in contact with the ground ; because 

 the heels, having nothing beneath them, are benefitted 

 and relieved (fig. 183). illilliii MiiiMiiP^ 



' Crescent shoes are all the 

 more needful for a horse which 

 has weak incurvated quarters, 

 as they not only relieve them, 

 but also restore them to their 

 natural condition. Horses 

 which have contusions at the 

 heels {hleimes, corns) should 

 also be shod in this manner, 

 and for cracks {seimes, sand- 



tlg. loj 



