nails (clous à glace), catches (crestes), points (barbettes), and rings (annelets), sometimes added to the fore-shoes. 'The calkins are useless on the fore-shoes, and they are even hurtful to the nerfs (tendons) of the limb, and cause the whole body to suffer pain. When we travel (chevanche) in mountainous or stony countries, it is far better to use a Turkish shoe, which protects the heels like a shield. The shoe to which is attached false nails[1] (clous bastards), not so high (in the head) as frost-nails, does not slip; the calkined shoe is apt to wound the horse when ridden; the calkin à l'Aragonaise is less dangerous. . . . All other accessories, such as frost-nails, crests, barbettes, and annelets, ought not to be applied until after due deliberation, for they are often more hurtful than useful.'
Chapter VII. is devoted to the way in which the heels and the frog (cartilage) should be pared, and the hoof otherwise managed. 'The heel, with the cartilage or tendron, named in Italian the "fetton" (frog), particularly in the fore-feet, should be moderately pared or opened (ouvert), according to the character of the hoofs; if these are not good, care should be taken not to weaken them too much by too great opening. . . . Besides, the cavalier should have removed from the toes of his horse's feet as much horn as may be necessary to give them a proper shape, which may easily be discovered by putting the foot to the ground.'
Chapter IX. relates to the form which the fore-shoes should have. Usually, the fore-shoe should not project beyond the toe of the hoof, except this part has been
- ↑ It would appear that nail-heads alone were rivetted into the shoes in places to prevent slipping.
