538 



of the wall in depth. Into this groove a narrow but thick band of iron 

 is sunk and nailed to the foot by means of four to six conical-headed 

 nails, the heads being countersunk in the shoe. The advantage of this 

 method of shoeing is that the frog, bars, and a portion of the sole 

 come to the ground exactly as if the foot were unshod, and one and all 

 participate in weight-bearing as it was obviously intended they should, 

 while the wall is protected from wear by the small rim of iron let into its 

 ground surface. 



A modification of the system has been suggested by an enthusiast 

 who writes under the name of "Free Lance," which possesses even supe- 

 rior advantages. Under this system only tips or toe-pieces of the Char- 

 lier pattern are used, the foot being prepared for their reception, as 

 shown in Plate xxxxiv. Fig. 3. The tips are made with their ground 

 surface broader than their upper face, and the outside edge of the web, 

 beveled off so as to follow the angle of the profiles of the foot. Plate 

 xxxxiv, Fig. 4. 



I have used both the Charlier shoe and the tip in this country as well 

 as in the East Indies, and I am perfectly satisfied that in many respects 

 they are superior to any other model. They are infinitely lighter, the 

 nails are smaller and fewer in number ; all steps in the right direction ; 

 but the dominant superiority of the device consists in the fact that the 

 frog obtains pressure to the extent contemplated by nature, and in the 

 case of the Charlier tip particularly the exercise of its double function 

 as a buffer and dilator is absolutely uutrammeled in anyway by the 

 shoe. 



FINISHING TOUCHES. 



When the shoe has been fitted, the nails driven, drawn up, and 

 clinched, there should be nothing left to be done. Very frequently, 

 however, it is just at this stage that the incompetent workman, in the 

 most uncalled for manner, inflicts serious and lasting injury on the foot. 

 If the wall has not been sufiBcieutly reduced in leveling the foot, or if 

 the shoe used is too small, the rasp is required to reduce the projecting 

 parts. (Plate xxxxiv, Fig. 2.) Often, indeed, when there is not even 

 this pretext, the whole surface of the foot is subjected to its relentless 

 touch. No procedure could well be devised which would be more hurt- 

 ful to the foot. In its natural state the entire hoof, from the coronet to 

 the sole level, is covered by a fine coating of natural varnish, thickest at 

 the upper margin and gradually becoming thinner as it descends. Under 

 cover of this beneficent curtain the new horn is secreted and protected 

 until it has attained maturity. The moisture secreted by the animal 

 economy, necessary to the perfection of the horn, is retained within it, 

 and the prejudicial influences of alternating drought and moisture are 

 set at defiance. In a very dry atmosphere like ours it is of paramount 

 importance that this beautiful shield should be preserved and fostered, 

 and no name is bad enough for a senseless custom which, to serve no 



