WEAR ON THE OUTSIDE. 63 



foot are aware, the horn on the inside quarter is thinner than on the 

 outside of the foot, and the formation of the wall straighter on 

 the inner. 



Anteeo throws the most of the stress on the outside, as is proven 

 by the greater wear of the tip on that side, and in this respect he 

 is like a large majority of the horses we have had. That a colt 

 nineteen months old should have a foot within half an inch in width 

 of one which is nearly nine years old, who is a hand taller and three 

 hundred pounds heavier, is positive proof of how soon the hoof gets 

 its growth, and the danger of restricting that growth at so critical a 

 period. Although Anteeo has only woi'n hind shoes from August 

 6th to November 10th, with an interval in September when shoes 

 and tips were pulled off, it is perceptible, on close scrutiny, that even 

 that short time had a prejudicial effect. On November 10th, the 

 shoes wei-e replaced with those which merely covered the toe and the 

 outside quarter, and from, hence these are the only kind he will wear 

 as long as he is under my control, or until I see good cause for for- 

 saking them. The wear on the outside of the hind feet of both he 

 and XX is still more pronounced, and either will wear a full shoe 

 completely through on that portion when the inner is intact. These 

 three-quarter shoes are the only kind which XX has worn for some 

 time, and they give perfect satisfaction so far. 



The objection which the correspondent has to the wearing of tips 

 in the summer time can be overcome with the use of this kind of 

 shoe, and in this chapter a cut is given showing the kind tried on 

 the fore foot, with marked success. Still, I am satisfied that no 

 matter how hard the roads are, with due preparation of the foot, 

 tips can be worn at all seasons. In Oakland the winter is the most 

 trying time. The Oakland streets are constructed of broken stones, 

 with gravel or crushed rock for the supersti-ucture. The country 

 roads are mainly coated with gravel, and, when wet, the attrition 

 wears the horn more rapidly. It is like the application of water to 

 the grindstone, and that when the horn is softer from the absorption 

 of moisture. When tips were firs* used, I did not anticipate that it 

 would do to drive a horse on the Oakland streets and the drives I 

 most fancied constantly, and though convinced, from the first, that 



