140 SHOES. 



SHOES. 



It should be borne in mind that that form of shoe which 

 accords with the foot in making the bearing natural, pre- 

 serves its elasticity and protects it from 

 injury, is best. If we examine the foot 

 it will be found concave. This is the 

 best form to enable a fulcrum that will 

 prevent slipping. If we would imi- 

 tate and carry out in the form of the 

 shoe, that of the foot, it should be also 

 concave, or thick at the outer edge and 

 beveled upward to the inner edge on 

 the ground surface. Such a shoe will 

 not ball, prevents slipping, is lighter, 

 (No. 28.) ' ^^^ would certainly enable more speed 



on a track if at all wet. Amateurs 

 who have an opportunity should see my models of shoes of 

 different patterns. 



Shoes for summer wear should be level, of an equal thick- 

 ness from toe to heel. If the roads are soft, this is certainly 

 advisable, to give the frog pressure. If shoes are made with 

 corks, the inside ones should be rounded, so as not to cut 

 the feet. The outside ones will prevent slipping. My 

 *' Maine Snow Shoe" is undoubtedly the best for winter 

 use; will not ball, and prevents the feet most effectually 

 from being bruised or injured. 



The bearing surface of all shoes should be level, and 

 come exactly under the wall of the hoof all the way round. 

 The nails should be as small, and as few, and as far forward 

 in the toe as will retain the shoe safely, the object being to 

 protect the foot and keep it healthy. When, from any 

 cause, there is an undue absorption of moisture, making the 

 frog and hoof dry and hard, either from inactivity by stand- 

 ing on a dry floor, or driving on dry hard roads, or both, 

 it must be supplied by artificial means. Stuff or fill the 

 feet with flax-seed meal, to which has been added a little 

 wood ashes mixed with water. It will stick. Or wet cloths 

 may be tied around the hoof. 



If there is soreness of the feet, put them in water as hot 

 as can be borne, to which should be added a handful of 

 salt, for an hour each day, for one or two weeks, or blister 

 mildly around the coronet, repeated two or three times. 



