88 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



how high he goes. One has to be guided by the 

 individual, and the object in view in determining 

 the amount of weight to put in a horse's shoes, 

 in order to get the best results in the way of 

 action. From 16 to 22 ounces is usually suffi- 

 cient, but there are horses for which a little less 

 or a little more may be carried with advantage 

 for sale or show purposes. 



In addition to carrying a moderate amount of 

 weight, the hoofs should be allowed to grow to a 

 fair length. Length of toe causes a horse to exert 

 increased effort in raising and extending the fore- 

 legs; so the tendency is to increase the action. 

 Defects of action can in a measure be corrected 

 by modifying the shoes and form of the hoof. 

 For instance, some horses extend too much and 

 do not fold or bend their knees sufficiently, but 

 what is called "point," and are apt to go on their 

 heels, or come down heel first, instead of planting 

 the foot squarely, heel and toe at the same time. 

 For this defect, have the toes fairly short, lighten 

 the web of the shoe at the toe, and increase its 

 weight gradually towards the heel. With a horse 

 that folds too much and does not extend suffi- 

 ciently, put the weight towards the toe and light- 

 en the heel. In a horse that "dishes" or "winds 

 out," the heavy portion of the web should be in 

 the inside branch; while in a horse that "winds 

 in," just the opposite should be done. 



