EXPLANATORY. 



A query published in the Breeder's Gazette a short time ago, has 

 led me to think that it will be well to add other cuts, with an expla- 

 nation, to give a perfect understanding of the system. It appears 

 simple enough to state that the tip should be made of nearly uniform 

 thickness, square at the ends, and the horn cut away so that the foot 

 will have the proper bearing when the tip is set. A more perfect 

 elucidation, however, is afforded by the cuts, and in order to show 

 exactly the state of the foot of a four-year-old that has never worn a 

 shoe, a few days ago Mr. Wyttenbach made the drawing from nature. 

 The outline was obtained from placing the foot on a piece of card- 

 board, and carefully tracing around it. The other parts of the sketch 

 were filled in while the colt's foot was held up, so that the artist 

 could see as he went on with the work. 



There ai-e many points of interest to examine. In the first place 

 it is widely different from a foot that has worn a shoe, and it also 

 varies from one that has never been shod, if the foot has not been 

 cared for in the same manner. The first position will be readily 

 granted, as any one can verify it by making a comparison ; the 

 second is not so well understood, and the causes for the difference 

 overlooked. The natui-al supposition v/ould be that if a colt had run 

 without shoes until four years old the foot would be in the proper 

 shape ; and if the animal was in an entirely natural state, roaming 

 over the country wherever it desired, it might be so. Domestica- 

 tion, however, changes the coui-se, and small fields, paddocks and 



