curling over the ledges, -wliicli are formed by the projecting 

 portions of the shoe, offers a resistance to its return, exactly 

 proportioned to the depth, to which it may have sunk into 

 the ground : but where the shoe has been accurately fitted, 

 the weight of the horse expands the foot, while it is still 

 ill the ground, enlarges the hole, and makes a free passage 

 for the return of the shoe. 



On comparing the parts, marked /;. c. d. in Plates 4 and 5, 

 we shall find, that in Plate 4 they are defenceless and 

 exposed ; while in Plate 5 they are securely sheltered on 

 each side by a bar of iron ; which often saves the foot 

 from alightmg upon a stone with a violence, that would 

 thrill througii both horse and rider. 



Note. In my own horses' shoes I omit the centre nail 

 of the outside and the nail nearest the front of the toe on 

 the inner side, and thus reduce the whole number to three. 



