690 OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRACTICABILITY 
on, and then did I observe the difference in the structure of the 
frog. I was struck with the remarkable development in size, and 
in increased hardness. The shoes once taken off, the frog re- 
covered its former elasticity. 
Another case was that of a grey filly, by Muscote, bought by 
Mr. Spooner, of Southampton, for a gentleman of this island. She 
afterwards became my property. I rode and drove her nine months 
without shoes. The same effects were observed as in the preceding 
instance, barring the short interval during which the colt had 
shoes. 
The third case is that of a black horse which I got in exchange 
with Mr. Percivall, in London, in February 1843. This horse I 
had ridden two years and a half without shoes, with the best re- 
sults. I was afraid at first to venture on the use of this horse 
without shoes ; for although he had a most excellent foot, yet the 
centre part of the frog projected so as to come rather too promi- 
nently in contact with the ground. Mr. Turner very justly ob- 
serves that this part will not bear pressure. I have been for many 
years familiar with that fact. But, then, how admirably does 
Nature come to her own assistance if left to herself! We well 
know there exists a strong bar formed at the heel, and which 
reaches half-way down to the point of the frog, and that it is 
shielded by a horny covering, part of which generally scales off 
when the shoe is removed. Between the bar and the wall is solid 
horn. The foot has here a surface nearty flat ; and so firm and 
thick is this horn when left to its natural state, that I have trotted 
the horse in question on new-made roads at the rate of more than 
fourteen miles an hour, with sixteen stone on his back, with the 
same firmness and precision which the best shoeing could promise. 
The depth of the frame set up by nature, left to its own free action, 
is such, so extended, deep, and healthy, as actually to form at once 
a bed and a shield for the frog, which is thus prepared to perform 
its functions, and resist all the external pressure to which it is 
constantly exposed. It is to me clearly evident that, commonly, 
in consequence of the ordinary routine in shoeing, the horn which, 
left to its own healthy action, would infallibly become the adequate 
protector Nature contemplates, does fall out for want of the room 
essential to its expansion ; and indeed so much so, that often, from 
the want of this release, the inside cleft of the frog is almost 
obliterated. 
Let it not be forgotten, however, that, when adopting the plan I 
have pursued in cases where shoeing has long been employed, the 
new method will not be resorted to with impunity, if due prepara- 
tion be not attended to. Case-hardening is required, and can be 
effected, so that the animal shall be trotted or galloped to the full 
