34 



SHOEING. 



Fig. 473. — Fool at Point of Heel on Thick Shoes. 



Fig. 473.— Shoe Fitted as it Should Be. 



taken out of the shop, the foot should be examined carefully by tap- 

 ping over the part, and the nail at the point of soreness pulled out. 

 (For more details, see treatment for Pricking and Rucking.) 



Clinching Down the Nails. 



When the nail is twisted off, the end should be filed down to 

 the proper length, and, with 

 the corner of the rasp or lit- 

 tle punch, cut out the pith 

 or raised part under the 

 clinch, and turn down light- 

 ly but firmly. The common 

 custom is to make a deep 

 notch with the corner of 

 the rasp, which extends 

 across the face of the hoof 

 from one nail to the other. 



This is so injurious that 

 it should not be permitted 

 even to the smallest degree. 

 No rasping of the outer sur- 

 face of the wall should be 

 allowed, excepting to touch 

 or smooth any roughness 

 of the clinches, and to 

 round of the edge of the 

 wall dawn near the shoe. 

 It has been explained under 

 the proper head, that the 

 inner surface of the wall 

 soft and spongy, and that 

 as it approaches the outer 

 surface, it becomes hard and ^ 



bony, and the fibers closer and denser, and that over the surface is a 

 sort of skin or thin covering of enamel, that prevents too rapid evap- 

 oration of moisture ; and it is necessary to retain intact this strong 

 fibrous horn, as well as its outer covering, so as to hold the nails 

 firmly, as well as to prevent the excessive evaporation of moisture 

 which would follow. 



Should the shoe be too short, which is liable to happen, to 

 remedy the difficulty it is the common custom to set it back under 

 the wall, and rasp the thick, strong wall, extending out over the 



Fig. 474. — Adjustment between Heel and Turn of Foot. 



Fig. 475.— Adjustment at Turn of Foot. 



