should always be made to prevent slipping. For when the 

 foot is extended, and, accidentally slips one way or the other, 

 without the animal being prepared for it, there is danger of 

 a rupture of the membranes at the coffin joint. The conse- 

 quences are an effusion of blood between the two tendons, 

 whereby the motion is effected. Failure and disappoint- 

 ment are the inevitable consequences, because it is hard to 

 locate such lameness as there is no swelling to be seen any- 

 where. Often it is mistaken for paster joint lameness, be- 

 cause the horse will stand cock-ankled for the relief of the 

 rupture around the pedal joint. We can convince ourselves 

 that there is nothing wrong with the paster joint, by lifting 

 up the other foot so that he must carry weight on the affect- 

 ed foot that will bring the paster joint back in place, and if 

 all looks well, then keep the foot cool and give the horse 

 rest. Of course, we are not interested how to cure such 

 lameness, because only nature can heal it, like in many other 

 cases of lameness where there is no swelling to be seen. 

 We want to prevent them, and, a shoe made as shown in cut 

 12, on horses as described herein, will add to his speed, pre- 

 vent slipping, and consequently spraining. I have used 

 them with good results, and they are just as good as they 

 look in print, only it takes a little extra time to make them. 

 A bar across the heels adds to the strength and durability of 

 the shoe. 



71 



