56 
DOMESTIC AHIMAL8. 
paneling at every point. There will be more stress on the crust at these 
holes, which will not ouly enlarge them and destroy the fixed attach- 
ment of the shoe to the hoof, but often tear away portions of the crust. 
This shoe, in order to answer the intended purpose, should consist of 
many joints, running along the sides and quarters, which would make it 
too complicated and expensive and frail for general use. 
While the shoe is to be attached to the foot by nails, we must be con- 
tent with tUe concave-seated or unilateral one, taking care to place the 
nail-holes" as far from the heels, and particularly from the inner heel, as 
the state of the foot and the nature of the work will admit ; and where 
the country is not too heavy nor the work too severe, omitting all but 
two on the inner side of the foot. 
Felt or Leather Soles. — When the foot is bruised or inflamed, the con- 
cussion or shock produced by the hard contact of the elastic iron with 
the ground gives the animal much pain, and aggravates the injury or 
disease. A strip of felt or leather is therefore sometimes placed between 
the seating of the shoe and the crust, which, from its want of elasticity, 
deadens or materially lessens the vibration or shock, and the horse 
treads more freely and is evidently relieved. This is a good contriv- 
ance while the inflammation or tenderness of the foot continues, but a 
very bad practice if constantly adopted. The nails cannot be driven so 
surely or securely when this substance is interposed between the shoe 
and the foot. The contraction and swelling of the felt or leather from 
the effect of moisture or dryness will soon render the attachment of the 
shoe less firm, there will be too much play upon the nails, the nail-holes 
will enlarge, and the crust will be broken away. 
After wounds or extensive bruises of the sole, or where the sole is thin 
and flat and tender, it is sometimes covered with a piece of leather, fit- 
ted to the sole and nailed on with the shoe. This may be allowed as a 
temporary defense of the foot; but there is the same objection to its 
permanent use for the insecurity of fastening, and the strain on the crust 
and the frequent chipping of it. There are also these additional incon- 
veniences, that if the hollow between the sole and the leather is filled 
with stopping and tow, it is exceedingly difficult to introduce them so 
evenly and accurately as not to produce partial or injurious pressure. A 
few days’ work will almost invariably so derange the padding as to cause 
unequal pressure. The long contact of the sole with stopping of almost 
every kind, will produce not a healthy elastic horn, but that of a scalv, 
spongy nature, and if the hollow is not thus filled, gravel and dirt will 
insinuate themselves and eat into and injure the foot. 
Stopping the Feet, — The general habit of stopping the feet requires 
some consideration. It is a very good or very bad practice, according 
to circumstances. When the sole is flat and thin it should be omitted, 
except on the evening before shoeing, and then the application of a little 
moisture may render the paring of the foot safer and more easy. If it 
were oftener used it would soften the foot, and not only increase the 
tendency to descent, but the occasional occurrence of lameness from 
pebbles or irregularities of the road. 
Professor Stewart gives a valuable account of the proper application 
of stopping : “ Farm horses seldom require any stopping. Their feet 
