6 TIPS AND TOE-WEIGHTS. 



absence of these difficulties, wlien the animal remains without these 

 artificial appendages, and I hope to show in this essay that the 

 reasons for the injuiy are apparent after due consideration, and, 

 perhaps, suggest a remedy. 



First, as to cracks: It is well known that the fissure stai'ts from 

 the coronet, in some cases being less than three-quarters of an inch 

 in length. The shoe preventing the expansion of the lower part of 

 the foot, the upper bursts the shell at the thinnest portion, as the 

 weight is virtually thrown upon it. Unquestionably the horn in 

 some horses is more disposed to crack than others, but the feet which 

 have the greatest inclination to separation of the horn are those 

 Avhich are the nearest vertical, and in which the horn is usually the 

 thickest. If even the nailing does not come further back than the 

 ciuarters, the fi'iction between the wall and the shoe soon wears a 

 channel which restrains the heels from opening, and this, aided by 

 the greater concussion upon the wall which the shoe imparts, sjilits 

 the fibres apart. In the foot which is unshod, the wall, the bars and 

 the frog unite in supporting the weight, while the spring of the 

 heels and the elasticity of the frog break the jar. The common 

 practice of smitlis is to thicken the shoe at the heel and make the 

 web narrower, which renders it impossible for the bars and frog to 

 perform their natural functions. The whole force of the blow, for 

 blow it assuredly is, comes upon the wall and the junction of the 

 wall and sole ; and confining that which should expand, if there is 

 any brittleness it gives away. We have heard it stated that the 

 cause of quarter-cracks w^as the contraction of the hoof, forcing- 

 upward the coffin bone until the wing^ wore the shell so thin that 

 it split from the erosion. So absurd is this theory that it is difficult 

 to believe that it could ever have been entertained by any one who 

 had given the horse's foot the least attention; but my informant 

 hinted that it was part of the teachings of a man who claims to have 

 made discoveries that are of vast importance, and which have been 

 sustained by men of wisdom and acumen. Inasmuch as part of the 

 teachmgs of this gentleman are covered by the seal of secrecy, it may 

 be that this is one of his esoterical points. It is obvious, however, 

 that the wearing of the horn by the bone would result in something 



