70 



CHAPTEK IX. 



DESCRIPTION OF FROG AND SOLE, BY DOUGLAS — RUSSELL ON 

 HOT FITTING, AND ' CLIPS ' ON SHOES — FACILITY OF ' BACK- 

 ING ' WHEN A HORSE STANDS UPON HIS FEET — STRENGTH 

 OF THE horse's TOE — EXCESSIYE GROWTH OF HORN ON 

 TOES OP UNSHOD DONKEYS IN IRELAND — ALL SHOEING ONLY 

 AN AFFAIR OF ROUTINE, AND 18 QUITE UNNECESSARY — 

 MAYHEW, 'veterinary SURGEONS CLING TO THE PRACTICES 

 IN WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN EDUCATED * — RETREAT OP 

 NAPOLEON FROM MOSCOW WITH UNSHOD HORSES. 



When speaking of the importance of leaving the 

 sole free to receive pressure, we by no means 

 mean to imply that it must be under continual 

 pressure. Its arched form indicates that on hard 

 level ground it was not intended to come down. 

 Such ground is often slippery, as in the case of 

 smooth rocks, and the contact of only the frog, 

 heels, and crust is more fitted to prevent slipping 

 than if the hoof were flat. Hence in case of a slip 

 under peculiar circumstances — such as very steep or 

 wet ground, for instance — the concave shape of the 

 bottom of the unshod foot would serve to allow the 

 periphery to catch hold of irregularities which 

 would arrest the slipping. On either softer or more 

 irregular ground the sole is quite capable of taking 

 its proper share of weight, as those who have seen 



