Let us examine this statement and see if the reason why the horse brings the foot down flat is because the frog is good, and has a good hold on the ground. The reason appears to _us_ to be because from the manner of shoeing the horse cannot put his foot in any other way. The shoes are much thinner behind than in front, and the heels pared low enough to insure the frogs resting on the ground. Excessive paring of the heels gives extra length to the shoe, which, being thick at the toe, props the toe up in such a manner that the horse is _forced_ to let the foot remain flat when starting a load. Nothing is gained by keeping the foot flat while starting a load, and to prove this, we ask the reader to observe unshod horses when starting a load. The frog having free access to the ground, see if the horse does not clamp the ground with the toe when exhibiting the maximum of strength. Also examine the imprint of horses' feet (especially the hind ones) when drawing heavy loads over soft ground, and see if the shoe is not pressed more firmly into the ground at the toe than at the heel. This is not because he gets a better use of the frog by so doing, but because the foot is in a better position for the horse to exert his strength without injury to the back tendons. As a further test, place yourself on an incline facing squarely up hill, and see how much power you can exert; then place your feet exactly opposite in direction, and note how much power you can then exhibit. What has made the difference? Simply the relative position of the heels and toes. We do not, like Mons. Lavalard, wish to force our horses to travel up hill all the time, which is the case when shod as he describes. Horseshoers, like other men who follow a special calling, are apt to think that their theories and practices relating to their special trade are superior to those of other men. I think it is safe to make the assertion, without fear of successful refutation, that there is not more than one horseshoer in ten thousand but what can convince the average horse owner that he (the smith) knows just about all that is worth knowing about horseshoeing.