88' THE HORSE EDUCATOR. 



intended to give life and liealtli to the foot- 

 Permitting the heels to gi'ow down, with the 

 addition of high-heeled shoes, raises the frog 

 from its natural position and causes it to shrink 

 and harden, and bears, in consequence, an im- 

 portant influence in setting up a diseased action 

 that it really results in contraction of the foot. 

 If the heels are square and high, and the hoof 

 presents rather a long, narrow ajopearance, and 

 is hollow on the bottom, there is a state of 

 contraction going on, and you must not hesitate 

 to dress down thoroughly. Do not hesitate, 

 because the hoof "^vill appear small. Cut away 

 until you are well down to a level with the Hve- 

 hom of the sole, and if the foot is week, use the 

 same prudence in not cutting it away too much. 

 The shoer must always bear in mind that the 

 sole must not rest on the shoe. Let the foot be 

 so dressed down, and the shoe so approximate, 

 that the bearing will come evenly upon the crust 

 gllthe way around without the sole touching the 



