UNKNOWN.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 38, 23 February 1884, Page 7

UNKNOWN.

At the recent meeting of the American Street Railway Association, the following was reported on the above subject The hoof of the horse in its natural state is adapted only to the soft ami yielding soil ; and so when we wish bo put them to practical use upon common roads and paved streets, it becomes necessary to protect the foot from the unnatural wear they become subjected to. The practice of protecting the hoof in some manner dates back for centuries, and from the rude devices then used we have come down to the present day, in which many forms of the shoes are made, all of which have their claims to superiority. In selecting the shoe the kind of foot should bo considered ; but as a rule, in our judgment, a flat shoe that will leave the foot in the most natural state, allowing the frog to receive a portion of the weight or blow, is preferable, particularly for the forward foot ; tho natural formation of the frog being of a soft, spongy growth with elastic properties, would seem to he made for that purpose. ] As a rule, horses coming fresh from the pasture have sound and healthy feet with broad frogs, and we should so adapt the shoe as to retain the natural formation as near as possible. Too much care cannot be used in preparing the foot for the shoe. The frog should never be cut ; the shell requires more or less cutting. The shoe should always be fitted to the foot and not the foot to the shoe, as-is often done. Corns, the most prevailing disease we have to contend with, appear in the angle of the foot near the heel ; and arc caused by the shoe nof being concaved enough, or allowing them to remain on long enough for the stipe to become embedded iuto the Leel, and oi'leu is the result of unskillful shoeing. Moisture we believe to be essential to the preservation of the foot. The railroad horse stands on the floor about twenty hours of the twenty-four, and consequently the feet get very dry ; therefore we would recommend the application of water frequently, not only to supply the natural moisture, but for cleanliness. In shoeing the horse the workman should bear in mind that he is protecting the foot from the unnatural wear, anil that it is only for that purpose ; therefore all prejudice as to opinions of how it should be done should be laid aside. The hoi so commences life with sound feet, but too many of them arc ruined by unskillful shoeing, and thus brought to comparative uselessness ;it a time of life when they should be in the prime of their power.