THEIR FEED AND THEIR FEET. 137 



to the edge of the horn, which is surprisingly tough. 

 The growth of new horn is not checked or essentially 

 affected, because we have so much snow and our 

 country roads are so rough that there isTrog-pressure 

 enough to secure a good growth of horn. When we 

 pull the shoes off in March or April a single paring 

 removes most of the split and damaged horn, provided 

 the nails are driven close enough to the edge. 



An unshod horse in winter will not pull half a load 

 even on reasonably rough roads. He may go well 

 for miles, but may then come upon an icy spot that 

 he can hardly get over. On smooth icy roads an 

 unshod horse, though much better off than one with 

 smooth shoes, can not travel with the freedom and 

 confidence in his footing that is essential to the com- 

 fort and safety of the driver, and especially so to the 

 rider. 



Of late we have had more horses than we needed, 

 owing to our repugnance — in fact, determination not 

 to sell a faithful old family servant when too old for 

 much work ; so we have seldom worn any of our 

 horses' feet off on the road to that extent that they 

 went tender. It has occurred in two or three in- 

 stances, however, and it is always likely to occur to 

 whoever drives his horses barefoot. The remedy is 

 simple : put on " toe-clips," " half-moon shoes," or 

 what Sir George quotes Mr. Bowditch as calling 

 " merely a small bit of iron, four inches long, curled 

 around the toe." This is chiefly necessary for the 

 fore feet of driving horses ; but horses that pull 

 heavy loads need this device on the hind feet also 



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