IMPROVED METHOD OF SHOEING. Gl 



sider its 2:ronnd surface as a circle. To this I have X'"! f"'"""'"'','^ 



~ ot (he natural 



much o])jcctioH, having always been struck by the *""'• ''*"""'^' 

 great inequality of its two sides, not only as to the 

 additional thickness of the wall of the outer quarter 

 in comparison to the inner, but the still greater 

 difference in compass or circularity ; the outer 

 quarter furnishing far more than is necessary to 

 form the half circle, while the inside is generally 

 much less than a semicircle. This bulo^e, or fine 

 luxuriant growth of the outside quarter, is gene- 

 rally most apparent towards the heel, not only form- 

 ing a much broader basis of support for the super- 

 structure than the inside, but also one of immense 

 strength. The inside column of crust being less 

 strong, and yet placed more immediately under the 

 centre of gravity, it appears to me quite obvious, 

 that Nature intended the outer column or quarter 

 should serve as the main prop of support, whilst 

 the inside quarter, in proportion to the weight and 

 speed of the animal, should expand and oppose 

 concussion 



But however conspicuous this fine prominence or 

 extensive grasp of the outer quarter of the unshod 

 foot may have appeared at three or four years' old, 

 we may in vain look for it after the horse has been 

 shod and stabled for the short space of one year ; 

 and in some instances all traces of it are lost in 

 much less time under very gross shoeing. I can- 

 not see how it should be otherwise, when it has 



