stride as desired. Toe weights should be used in all jog- 

 ging, as well as in work-outs. It may be advisable after a 

 horse has been going a fast mile or two to change the toe 

 weights from five ounces to three, or at least reduce the 

 weight. Quickening the motion can be accomplished by 

 the shape of the shoe. The shoe should be so constructed 

 that the center of the shoe is the highest part on the ground 

 bearing surface and that part somewhat wider in web, and 

 especially where the footing is loose, the branches of the 

 heels should be thinner and the toe to correspond. The ac- 

 tion of the limbs can be governed by the weight of the shoes. 

 To increase action the shoe should be heavier, with most of 

 the weight in the branches of the heels, and the toe of the 

 shoe should fit flush around the toe of the foot ; have the 

 shoe of even thickness from heel to toe. If there is an ex- 

 cess of action, that it may cause a loss of motion, the shoe 

 should be light and a leather rim, or felt, should be placed 

 between shoe and foot. It will deaden the blow when land- 

 ing and retard action, and all other desirable motions can 

 be accomplished by preparing the foot properly for the 

 proper shoe. Wherever the footing is firm and level for a 

 horse to travel, lame horses can be made to go sound where 

 they are curable all by mechanical treatment. 



So you see a shoe on a horse's foot is an instrument of 

 either too good advantage, or disadvantage. Horse owners 

 should take no chances to be lured into shops because some 

 smiths make it appear that their place of business is like a 

 bargain counter. Such smiths are the death knell to the 

 science of shoeing ; they are poison to a horse, like a red rag 

 is to a bull. Iknow this may not sound in a way very 

 refined, but I can't help it. I get a little excited and once in 

 a while make a break. But I say it in a friendly spirit, and 

 when you look at things as I see them, I know you will par- 

 don me. It is up to you, horse owners, to help along good 

 work and realize that the best of us are none too good. 



A true horseshoer studies shoeing, it is like a good 



54 



