558 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



the crust by immoderate force, thus unnecessarily destroying the 

 hoof of the horse. I have seen smiths remove two shoes at a 

 time, which shoukl never be permitted, as it causes the horse to 

 be restless, and induces him to stamp, and thus break the crust 

 of the foot, besides causing him much pain. I can always dis- 

 cover whether a horse has been well shod, by examining the 

 frog, which consists of three parts; the thick elastic frog, 

 the horny frog, and the sensitive frog. The elastic frog protects 

 the navicular joint from injury. If the shoe has been put on by 

 a skilful mechanic, the w^hole frog presents a plump full appear- 

 ance, without the sign of a knife. When left to nature, it at 

 times has a ragged surface, which wears off through the process 

 of reproduction, and leaves a perfect frog behind. Horses have 

 an external and internal part to their feet, the former comprises 

 all the outside, horny and insensible portions, covering and 

 enclosing, as in a case, the internal sensible foot; and is distin- 

 guished into the crust, sole, bars and frog. The internal sensible 

 foot is composed of small parts; it is contained within, and 

 defended by the former. A strong arched sole will require 

 much shortening at the toe, and paring until it will yield to hard 

 pressure by the thumb. Whereas, a weak flat sole, will bear 

 but little shortening, and scarcely any paring. All you can do 

 for such a foot, and they preponderate, is to use the knife as 

 little as jDossible, and put the shoe on evenly, as exfoliation and 

 reproduction progresses slowly. Nature causes horses to have 

 flat heels, which answer the purpose admirably, as long as they 

 are left to her influence. The animal can then select his ground 

 and place his foot w^here it will be safe from injury. But the 

 moment he is controlled by man, with bit, and w'hip in hand, 

 no regard is paid to these matters, and he is driven without 

 reference to his frogs, or his heels. And if not properly shod, 

 lameness is inevitable. When shoeing the animal, his changed 

 condition should be taken into consideration, and his shoes so 

 constructed as to guard his feet against the numerous strains and 

 injuries incident to the change. This may be effected by keeping 

 the foot remote from the ground, and the most practical way of 

 doing it is to use the shoes I invented some five or six years since. 



