OBJECT OF SHOEING. 521 



' 18. This shoe is convex externally, concave inter- 

 nally, and four nails placed in each quarter of the crust. 



' 19. The shoes, being nailed at the heels, confine the 

 quarters of the crust, and produce contraction, 



' 20. The frog, being raised from the ground by a 

 thick-heeled shoe, becomes soft, and very susceptible of 

 injury. 



'21. The shoe being thick at the heel only preserves 

 the frog from pressure in the stable and on smooth sur- 

 faces, while sharp and projecting stones are perpetually 

 liable to strike the frog at every step. 



' 22. The frog being soft becomes inflamed whenever 

 it meets with pressure from hard bodies. 



'23. The concavity of the shoe within, tends to pre- 

 vent the expansion of the quarters, and to bruise the heels 

 of the sole. 



' 24. The convexity without makes the horse very 

 liable to slip. 



'25. Contracted hoofs, corns, and frequently thrushes 

 and canker, are to be attributed to this practice. 



' 26. The intention of shoeing is to preserve the hoof 

 sound, and of the same form and structure as nature made 

 it ; and as the common practice is altering its form, and 

 producing disease, there can be no doubt but that the 

 common practice of shoeing is imperfect, and requires 

 alteration and improvement. 



' 27. It is very practicable to preserve the hoof cir- 

 cular and free from corns, contraction, thrushes, and 

 canker. 



'28. To accomplish this very desirable object, it is 

 necessary, in all cases, first to endeavour to remove a por- 



