BVTLS OF COMMON SHOEING. 11 



chipping, and but little iron was used, but, as 

 the utility of the operation became apparent, 

 the smith boldly took the responsibility of 

 altering the form of the hoof to suit his own 

 unreasoning views, cutting away, as super- 

 fluous, the sole and bars, paring the frog to 

 a shapely smoothness, and then nailing on a 

 broad, heavy piece of iron, covering not only 

 the wall but a portion of the sole also, thus 

 putting it out of the power of the horse to 

 take a natural, elastic step. 



In a short time the hoof, unbraced by the 

 sole and bars, begins to contract, the action of 

 the frog upon the ground, which in the nat- 

 ural foot is threefold acting as a cushion to 

 receive the force of the blow and thus relieve 

 the nerves and joints of the leg from concus- 

 sion, opening and expanding the hoof by its 

 upward pressure, quickening the circulation 

 and thereby stimulating the natural secretions, 

 this all important part of the organization, 

 without which there is no foot and no horse, 

 becomes hard, dry, and useless. Then fol- 

 lows the whole train of natural consequences. 

 The delicate system of joints inclosed in the 



