UNFETTERED QUARTERS, 19 



should much like the system of shoemg with tips tried on a large 

 scale. The question is, whether those horses who bring their heels 

 down first would be able to bear the bruising of the frog which this 

 action causes ; and if not, it Avould always be a doubtful point which 

 must be left to the discretion of the smith, whether every individual 

 horse should be shod in one way or the other. Unless, therefore, 

 tips could be used in a vast majority of cases, I do not expect much 

 good from their introduction." 



It is evident from the quotation, that " Stonehenge " thought 

 highly of tips from a theoretical standpoint, but was afraid to 

 recommend their adoption until they had been further tested by a 

 more general use. The only drawback, he said, was the wearing of 

 the heel and frog, the liability to bruises not being deemed more 

 likely than with the ordinary shoes. 



His qualifying sentence of "unless, therefoi-e, tips could be used 

 in a vast majority of cases, I do not expect much good from their- 

 introduction," is not sound. If tips prove greatly superior for the- 

 fast trotter, the roadster, the race-horse in ti'aining, and other hoi'ses 

 that have light, fast work, it is not necessary that they should, be 

 worn on the coach or heavy draught-horses. 



The advantages of having the quai-ters unfettered, and a pcoper 

 pressure on the sole and frog, are apparent to any one who has ^^en 

 the requisite thought to the anatomy of the foot and requirements 

 of nature. If some of the purposes wliich the domestication of the 

 horse has entailed be antagonistical to the wearing of tips, aiul, com- 

 pel the use of the full shoe, the trouble will be wif '" that class of 

 duties. In our opinion, however, it has not been proven that such 

 a state exists, and that a horse with a sound foot will wx>."k -nrith 

 them in any situation. 



The ordinary shoe, with high, sharp calkins, would seem to. be in- 

 dispensable on frozen, ice-covered roads. With a low, keen projec- 

 tion on the toe of the fore foot, and the hind foot shod in the usual 

 mannei-, there would be little, if any, danger of slipping on the ice. 

 The frog has quite an adhesive property when permitted to grow ; 

 it retains its full power by constant usage, and the toe would be 

 the only point which would be likely to slip. 



