SHOEING. 687 



is carried well back to the heels and extended out to the edge of 

 the nail-holes, the point of the heels extending even inside the 

 inner edge of the iron. Out of the eight specimens selected from 

 a pile of old shoes, there was but one exception to this. The con- 

 sequence of such treatment is that the heels are constantly being 

 crowded forward and under as weight is thrown upon them, which, 

 with an excessively pared condition of the foot, causes such rapid 

 loss of moisture that the heels become curled under, weak, and 

 contracted. Now follows the 

 putting of leather between the 

 shoe and foot, the use of hoof lin- 

 iments, and other means of re- 

 lief, without any practical benefit. 

 I copy here the remarks of an 

 old author, J. Clark, of Edin- 

 burgh, Scotland, in 1782, show- 

 ing the bad effects of this treat- 

 ment : 



" They cannot be satisfied un- 

 less the frog is finely shaped, the 

 sole pared, and the bars cut out in 

 order to make the heels appear 

 wide. This practice gives them FlG 516 ._ The previous sh engraved 

 a show of wideness for a time, yet from photograph . Would not bri 

 that, together with the concave out concave appearance, 



form of the shoe, forwards the con- 

 traction of the heels, which, when confirmed, renders the animal 

 lame for life." 



The principle of shoeing such horses is the same as in that of 

 others : First, to level down the wall without interfering with the 

 sole or frog. The bearing surface of shoe to be flat, and bent to 

 the form of the foot, so as to support the wall evenly all the way 

 round ; the shoe to be no heavier, and the calks, if used, no 

 higher, than is barely necessary to sustain the wear to which it is 

 subjected. In addition, the feet should be kept soft by stoppings 

 and coverings of wet cloths at night. This should be especially 

 attended to during dry weather, or when the feet are hot or 

 feverish from severe work. 



The treatment for the cure of such is practically the same as for 

 other conditions of contraction. Of course, much depends upon 



