MAVOKS SHOE. S57 



was flat, and the holes were made in the middle line of the 

 shoe. According to Mr Mavor, the advantages of his 

 mode of shoeing were cheapness, lightness, and simplicity 

 of manufacture. As a proof that it was superior to every 

 other mode, this inventor asserted that it did not in any 

 way injure the horse's foot, but, on the contrary, allowed 

 its natural freedom of action ; promoted the growth of 

 horn ; prevented disease and concussion to the limbs ; gave 

 the horse a firm foot-hold on the most slippery pavement ; 

 was particularly adapted to strengthen flat, weak feet ; and 

 enabled the horse to travel over loose gravel without 

 injury to, or the collection of dirt and stones in, his feet. 

 The hind-shoes were of such a form that, though light, 

 they were more durable than the old fiat shoes ; and it 

 was impossible for the horse to cut his legs, over-reach, or 

 click with them. 



In preparing the shoe, little hammering was required ; 

 the nail-holes were punched in the centre, and inclining 

 inwards ; the iron being only the width of the crust of the 

 foot, there was no danger of these apertures proving too 

 coarse for nailing. In applying the shoe, the crust and bars 

 were to be lowered and levelled from the ground-surface 

 only, as rasping the outside of the crust and cutting away 

 the sides of the frog weakened the foot and destroyed 

 its naturally circular form. The sole was not to be cut, 

 and care was to be taken to fit the shoe accurately to the 

 outer line of the hoof, so that it might rest only upon 

 the crust, and not upon the sole. 



This method of shoeing was carried on for a short 

 time, and fell into disuse, chiefly, perhaps, through the 

 prejudice of the grooms and farriers in London. 



