660 



SHOEING. 



once shows that it must be more suitable to put on a new one of 

 that form, rather than to suffer the action of the leg to be opposed 

 until it is worn to that form. . . . 



"The fore legs may be 

 considered simply as pillars 

 of support, having no pow- 

 er of themselves to propel 

 the body forward, progres- 

 sion being entirely per- 

 formed by the hind parts, 

 If it were not so, the action 

 would be different, as I 

 have before observed it to 

 be in those horses that have 

 great weights to draw ; and 



this may be more readily 



totaM^ 



LU - 



FIG. 478. Model of a French shoe, showing 

 average amount of curve. 



observed in any draught horse going up hill. I have offered these 

 remarks upon action, in order to bring the reader's attention to 

 the curve of the French shoe at the toe. This form of shoe cer- 

 tainly harmonizes more with the motion of the fore foot than the 

 English shoe does ; it affords a greater surface of bearing at the 

 toe than the projecting ridge 

 of the straight, ordinary shoe, 

 and is much more calculated to 

 allow of the motion of the leg 

 and foot ; the labor of the 

 muscles is also diminished, and 

 the limb being in ite natural 

 position, the ligaments have 

 less imposed upon them ; they 

 are more at ease, and conse- 

 quently are not so liable to be 

 strained." 



A moderate rounding at the toe would seem desirable in all 

 cases where there is want of mobility. It is especially desirable 

 when the horse is a little stiff or sore, as it enables him to travel 

 much easier. This is proved when the mobility of the foot is 

 destroyed, and there is necessity for using a rounded shoe to con- 

 form with the action. When winter shoes, or calk shoes, must be 



FIG. 479. French shoe taken from an 

 old work. See Navicular Lameness. 



