Shoeing and the Feet 273 



thrown by this false balance upon the joints and 

 back tendons, is very severe — harmfully so. 



The " tip '' proper is a narrow semicircle of steel 

 or iron which fits into a groove drawn with a knife 

 (equipped with a proper guard to ensure equal 

 depth) around the toe. and just inside the wall of 

 the foot. This is just wide and deep enough to re- 

 ceive the very narrow " tip," and to allow it, con- 

 fined by three nails, to come just below the surface 

 of the toe, and thus receive the wear. It extends 

 round the toe to the beginning of the widest part of 

 the hoof (about the middle). A level foot is neces- 

 sary, as, if pressure is uneven, a weak quarter may 

 crack. 



No grease should be ever applied to any foot. All 

 dust and dirt adhere to the greasy blacking so 

 generally used, and a wipe over with a damp sponge 

 affords the most presentable, and the only necessary, 

 dressing. The equine foot perspires, and is full of 

 minute pores upon its surface, as is your own, and 

 any application of grease, etc., serves but to clog 

 these, and to prevent moisture being absorbed by 



