THE BAR SHOE. '299 



absurd and ruinous length. In many horses of heavy 

 draught, the only bearing-points — the only parts of 

 the shoe which touch the ground — are the tip of the 

 toe, and the end of the caulkin. There must be in- 

 equality of pressure here ; and by it the ossification 

 of the cartilages ; enlargement of the pasterns ; and 

 other diseases with which the draught-horse is often 

 afflicted, are too well accounted for. 



Of the varieties of shoes in common use, it is neces- 

 sary to notice only the following : — 



THE BAR SHOE. 



This is often indispensable. It is almost the only 

 means by which the pressure can be thrown from the 

 seat of sand-crack ; but then it is thrown on a part — 

 the frog— which nature never designed to receive 

 primary pressure ; therefore, the bar shoe should be 

 left off as soon as the case will permit. On the other 

 hand, it is sometimes used to protect a tender frog 

 from injury; the hinder part of the shoe being thick- 

 ened, and hollowed over the frog; but, unless it is 

 made exceedingly heavy, it will soon be flattened ; 

 and afterwards it will most injuriously press upon 

 the heels. 



For pumiced feet, a bar shoe is usually necessary ; 

 but this sort of shoe is only a make-shift ; and the 

 horse that wears it can never be said to be safe, 

 especially in frosty weather. The bar shoe may be 

 necessary at times ; but it is nevertheless an evil, and 

 should, if possible, be got rid of. 



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