28 ESSAYS ON HORSE SUBJECTS 



the shoes may be lightened, which further lessens 

 the action. What are called "green horses" are 

 very apt to go sore if put abruptly into work, 

 from the fact that their tissues have not been by 

 degrees hardened for work; in other words, they 

 are not in condition, and it will take some weeks 

 before they can be safely put into anything like 

 hard work. 



After reading the foregoing, it will naturally 

 be asked: What is the guide in determining the 

 dimensions to which the hoof should be reduced 

 at the time of shoeing? The practised eye of the 

 man who understands the natural poise of the 

 horse's leg can determine at a glance how much 

 to reduce the hoof so that every part of the leg 

 and foot will approximately bear its due propor- 

 tion of weight. The direction of the line of 

 weight in the extremities varies in different indi- 

 viduals and nature can be assisted by regulating 

 the direction of this line in order that no part 

 shall be unduly taxed. The horse with the 

 straight pastern and high heel is apt to suffer from 

 the ill-effects of concussion, while the oblique- 

 pasterned horse is more likely to suffer from 

 strain. The ill-consequences of these defects of 

 formation can be neutralized in a measure by 

 regulating the length of hoof according to cir- 

 cumstances. For instance, the disadvantage 

 of long and oblique pasterns can be overcome in 



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