Tip Shoes 105 
only half way back and are thin at the ends. They 
are applied by cutting away the wall at the toe until 
the tip can be put on and the foot kept level. Tips 
never have calks. The advantages 
of tips are many. They allow the 
heel to come to the ground, thus 
giving plenty of frog pressure, 
which is so important in preserv- 
ing a healthy foot. The tip of 
steel protects the hvof from too 
rapid wearing away, and keeps 
the wall from splitting. Sole, 
heel and frog all coming in con- 
tact with the ground or pavement, 
the animal is able to get a good 
grip, and thus to avoid slipping. 
After a horse has been driven with 
tips for a time the hoof becomes 
tough and seems to wear away Fig. 26. Contracted foot 
very slowly. If tips are well ap- shod with tip shoe 
plied, they usually give excellent results, both on dirt 
roads and pavements. 
FITTING THE SHOE 
The sole of the foot should be kept perfectly level, 
as any undue weight on one side of the foot may lead 
to injuries of the joints. All loose horn should be re- 
moved, and the wall of the hoof leveled with the sole. 
The hars should not be cut away, as they act as natural 
braces to the heels; and the frog is to be left in its 
