OF SHOEING. 35 



of the shoe is only comparative, and is very inferior 

 to that obtained by the use of turned-up shoes, ad- 

 justed to fit the crust, previously lowered by the 

 knife to represent the natural rounding off of the 

 toe by wear, as seen in the unshod horse. 



39. With reference to the tread of the horse, it is Action of 



the fore 



necessary to observe that it is a mistake to suppose leg. 

 that in action he merely lifts up and puts down his 

 feet. If he did so, there would be no objection to 

 straight shoes, for such shoes would perfectly suit 

 such a movement. But then there would be no pro- 

 gression. Progression is gained by a semicircular 

 movement of the foreleg, aided by impulse from 

 behind. 



To assist this movement, it is necessary that the 

 toes should be rounded off. The horse, when shod 

 with straight shoes, has, every time he lifts his foot 

 from the ground, first to overcome by additional 

 exertion of the flexor tendons the resistance of the 

 straight toe against the ground. This resistance of 

 the straight toe against the ground, when the foot is 

 being raised, coupled with the striking of the toe 

 against the ground when the foot comes down, is the 

 main cause of the wearing away of the toe of the 

 ordinary straight shoes. 



40. From noticing how badly many horses went ^^': ^^'- 



*^ "^ , -^ Icn's sjs- 



3—2 



