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Rh firm manner, and it is scarcely possible that anything intervened between it and the hoof, for no traces of holes or rivets were perceived. The presence of straps leads to the supposition that these soleæ were applied during work only, and that they were removed when the animal entered its stable. Without this precaution, the straps, already dangerous by the wear to which they might subject the skin of the pastern, could not fail to be yet more pernicious if left continually tightened around the feet. It is remarkable that the clips are only at the corners of the toes, and that the iron sole should become narrowed at the part which corresponds to the quarters; was this to prevent slipping? Or did the Romans understand that the heels were elastic? It is very possible that their spirit of observation taught them something respecting this. The presence of these four soleæ on the feet of the same horse, sufficiently indicates that they were not used for maladies alone, as has been surmised, but habitually' (fig. 117).