d
other contrivances to diminish shock and prevent slipping on the hard
and slippery pavements of our large cities are in use in different parts
of the world. In Germany the rope shoe (a malleable-iron shoe with a
groove in its ground surface in which lies a piece of tarred rope) is
extensively used with most gratifying results. It is cheap, durable,
easily applied, and effective.

In the large cities of England and the United States rubber pads are
extensively used. They are rather expensive, but are quite efficient in
preventing slipping on polished and gummy pavements, though not so
effective on ice. Figure 11 is an illustration of one of the best of
many rubber pads. The rubber is stitched and cemented to a leather sole
and is secured by the nails of a three-quarter shoe. Such a pad will
usually last as long as two shoes. They may be used continuously, not
only without injury to the hoof, but to its great benefit. The belief,
unsupported by evidence, that rubber pads "draw the feet" keeps many
from using them. A human foot encased in a rubber boot may eventually be
blistered by the sweat poured upon the surface of the skin and held
there by the impervious rubber till decomposition takes place with the
formation of irritating fatty acids; but there is no basis for an
analogy in the hoof of a horse.

[Illustration: FIG. 11.--Left fore hoof of regular form shod with a
rubber pad and "three-quarter" shoe. (Ground surface.)]

[Illustration: FIG. 12.--A narrow right fore hoof of the base-wide
(toe-wide) standing position, shod with a plain "dropped-crease" shoe to
prevent the toe cutting (interfering). The dotted line at the inner toe
indicates the edge of the wall which was rasped away in order to narrow
the hoof along the striking section. Note the inward bevel of the shoe
at this point, the dropped crease, the distribution of the nails, the
long "full" inner branch, and the short "close" outer branch.]

OTHER SPECIAL FORMS.

Some drawings, designed to illustrate shoeing in connection with
"interfering" and "forging," and other special conditions, are shown in
figures 13 to 18.

[Illustration: FIG. 13.--Hoof surface of a right hind shoe to prevent
interfering. The inner branch has no nail holes and is fitted and
beveled under the hoof. Note the number and position of the nail holes,
the clip on the outer side wall, and the narrowness and bend of the
inner branch.]

[Illustration: FIG. 14.--Ground surface of s