262 
REVIEW. 
extreme view, and Ids opinion is worth consideration, as he 
speaks from observation. At page 8 he says— 
“ I have come to the conclusion, as the result of 
much experience, that the system is the most scientific, 
simple, as well as beneficial method for shoeing some horses, 
in accordance with the natural expansion of the foot. I say 
some horses, for I have found that it cannot be applied indis¬ 
criminately to all. For instance, heavy draught horses could 
not do their work as well in a Charlier Shoe as they do in 
the weighty high-calked shoe in present use; for they require 
a hold on the ground, and there is no doubt that we do 
sacrifice tendons and joints to the inordinate pressure called 
on by these appliances, which act as fulcrums. Still, in 
many instances, with draught horses, the legs and feet often 
wear out other parts of the body, and we can, to a certain 
extent, afford the results they cause. The case is different 
with light horses which are used for fast work, and whose 
legs and feet are generally the first to give way; and any¬ 
thing, be it ever so slight, which will abate the tendency to 
do so must be a benefit.” 
Our readers are doubtless sufficiently familiar with the 
form of the Charlier Shoe, and its method and principle 
of application, and will therefore appreciate the author’s 
remarks as to its peculiar merit at page 10 : 
Amongst the advantages of the Charlier Shoe, perhaps 
the one which first claims attention is its simplicity, which I 
look on as its great recommendation; and secondly, the com¬ 
paratively small extent to which it interferes with the natural 
action and functions of the foot. To these I may add its 
utility in progression, and the prevention of many of the 
consequences of rapid travelling/"’ 
It has often been objected that serious consequences have 
attended the application of the Charlier Shoe to feet which 
have long been shod on the old system. Mr. Pallin admits, 
indeed points out, some of the ill-consequences, which he 
judiciously proposes to avoid by adopting the mode of pre¬ 
vention which he indicates in the following passage: 
“ For these reasons, the change should not be attempted 
with hunters in the middle of the season, and with harness 
horses the change should be made gradually. With hunters 
we should commence it in the middle of summer, or at latest 
when the horses are taken up for work before the season of 
cub hunting, previous to their being shod. They should 
actually be left unshod for a time; and if the feet are poor 
and would not bear it, tips should be applied, so that the 
sole and frog may become used to the ground pressure, 
