SHOEING. 



25 



They will be found particularly useful in strong feet that have corns in both heels, 

 and in the case of bad interferers. 



Trimming. 



Before preparing the foot for the shoe, the smith should go in 

 front and look at it, so as to determine better its adjustment. 

 Sometimes the foot may be run over by having one side too high or 

 the toe worn off excessively. If it is desired to be particular, he 



should see how the feet are 

 carried in a sharp trot ; 

 whether too high or too 

 low ; or whether h? travels 

 too close, endangering inter- 

 fering or cutting — using 

 the words of a high au- 

 thority, " to see whether 

 there are any traces of bruis- 

 ing or cutting on the inner 

 sides of hoofs, fetlocks, or 

 knees." He should also see 

 how the old shoe has been 

 worn. The foot can then 

 be taken up, when a look 

 from the heel forward will 

 enable an observing shoer 

 to determine how much and 

 what part is to be cut away to level it to the proper proportion, and 

 the faults, if any, that can be modified or corrected. If the horse 

 travels high, the shoes must be light ; if low and subject to stumb- 

 ling, they may be increased in weight a little, and the toe some- 

 what rounded ; if liable to strike, then set close under the wall with 

 edges filed smooth. 



The point is to cut away or remove the surplus growth in the 

 easiest and best manner, which depends more upon the deftness and 

 ingenuity of the man than upon the use of any special means. The 

 wall should be reduced to nearly or quite on a level with the outer 

 margin of the sole. The bearing surface of the entire wall should be 

 made level, so that an even bearing surface of the shoe will rest 

 upon it fully. The rasp should now be passed around the toe, to cut 

 away the sharp edges and bring it to the size required. Practically, 

 this should be little more than rounding off the sharp edges of horn 

 to prevent splitting. 



Fig. 44G.— The Foot Natural. 



