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MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
when horses have a practice of pawing. The reason wby 
these shoes are made short is to permit those feet which, 
have a tendency to contraction, to return to their natural 
condition by expansion. 
PATENT SAFETY SHOE. 
PLATE XI. Fig. 6. 
This shoe is constructed of malleable cast-iron. This is 
accomplished by a chemical process called annealing, which 
renders the cast-iron less liable to break ; as ordinary cast- 
iron is nearly as brittle as glass. The figure referred to 
exhibits the ground side of this shoe. The letters a , a, a , a ,, 
are a raised border, intended to strengthen the inward edge 
of the shoe, as well as to prevent the intrusion of small 
stones, flint, and dirt, between the sole and shoe, which it is 
likely would take place but for this protection. 
WATER AND POULTICE BOOTS. 
WATER-BOOT.-PLATE XI. Fig. 7. 
Considerable difficulty has been experienced in keeping 
diseased feet effectually wet by the application of a poultice. 
The usual method has been to put the poultice in a piece ol 
old rag or sacking, and set the foot into it, and to tie the 
edges of the cloth round the fetlock. It must be obvious 
that the pressure of the foot will soon displace that portion 
under the sole, where probably it may be most required 
Besides this, the cloth is liable to be cut through by the 
crust, and consequently the greater portion of the applica¬ 
tion escapes. 
The poultice and water boot is constructed with a leather 
bottom, defended by iron plating of different sir.es. When 
