FITTING THE SHOE. 25 



sessamoid bone. A. The point where the weight of 

 the horse would fall upon the upper end of the pas- 

 tern bone. B. The point where a hne dropped from 

 A would meet the ground. C. The heel of the hoof. 



Now, it is clear that the weidit of the horse will 

 fall upon the upper end of this slanting pastern 

 bone at every step; and the bone, having a joint 

 at each end of it, will sink to the weight thus 

 thrown upon it and break the force of the shock 

 both to the leg and foot; but if the heels of the 

 shoe are longer than the heels of the hoof, the pro- 

 jecting pieces of iron will meet the ground farther 

 back than the natural heels would have done, and 

 will check the sinking of the pastern bone, just as 

 an upright pastern does, by bringing the heels too 

 much under the centre of the weight, which causes 

 the horse to step short and go stumpy. 



If you wish to avoid these evils and keep the 

 horse's shoes on his feet, you must bring in the heels, 

 and let the shoe strictly follow the form of the foot, 

 whatever that form may be. 



The part of the foot that needs protection from 



