92 THE HOFiSE EDUCATOR. 



elastic, it expands to the weight of the horse in 

 precisely the same degree, whether resting upon 

 the most open or the most contracted shoe. 

 Therefore, the shape of the shoe cannot possibly 

 effect the shape of the foot. The form of the 

 foot is determined by the situation of the nails. 

 If the nails are placed in a manner that the 

 inside quarters and heels are left free to expand 

 in a natural manner, no shape which we can giye 

 to the shoe can of itself change the form of the 

 ■f o o It must not be infered however from this, 

 that the shape of the shoe is of no importance ; 

 quite the contrary being the case, as I have 

 already sho^Ti. In forming the shoe, we should 

 always adopt that which produces the gxeatest 

 number of advantages with the fewest dis- 

 advantages. \^^e find that the sole surface of 

 the foot is by nature concave in form, which 

 seems to offer the greatest fulcrum of resistance 

 to the horse when travelling. It is imjDortant 

 to preseiTe the natui'al mechanical action of the 



