FORM OF SHOE. 



6^3 



'39. The heels of the shoe should be about one-third 

 the substance of the toe. 



' 40. This form of shoe is preferred to a high heel, as 

 it allows the frog to perform its function, by embracing 

 the ground, and acting as a spring, 



' 41. The weight of the shoe being diminished at the 

 heel, the labour of the muscles that bend and extend the 

 leg is diminished. 



'42. Where no part of the crust can be removed 

 from the tOe, and the horse has been in the habit of wear- 

 ing high shoes, the heels should be made only one-tenth 

 of an inch, every time of shoeing, thinner than the shoes 

 removed. 



'43. If the frog be callous and sound, and the toe 

 admits of being shortened, the iron may be diminished at 

 the heels, in the same proportion as the toe is shortened. 



' 44. The muscles and tendons will be exerted beyond 

 their tone if the heels of the shoes are not gradually 

 thinned as the horn grows, or as the toe of the crust can 

 be removed. 



'45. Young horses, with perfect feet, should not have 

 thin-heeled shoes at first, unless the crust at the toe can 

 be removed in the same degree as the iron at the toe ex- 

 ceeds the heels. 



'46. Where half an inch of horn can be taken from 

 the toe of the crust, a shoe thin at the heel may be at 

 once applied without any injury to the muscles and ten- 

 dons. 



'47. Where the heels exceed two inches in depth, and 

 the frogs are equally prominent, and the ground dry, a 

 short shoe, thin at the heels, may be applied. 



