48 



SHOEIXG. 



and they must be at once knocked back sufficiently to relieve the 

 undue pressure, and be kept wet. It is rarely, however, that the 

 spreading of a quarter, or even three eighths, of an inch, will at 

 first cause any soreness. On the contrary, it always gives relief. 

 Still I think it necessary to use care. The horse can be driven or 

 worked moderately, if desired. In two or three days the spread- 

 ing can be repeated, but now not so much as before^ and again in 

 three or four days following, and so on at longer intervals. 



If the foot has been properly prepared, two points will be ac- 

 complished by this spreading, namely, the severe compression upon 



Fig. 517.— Nalura! Position. Fig. 518.— Effect of Contraction 

 Good Shoeing. and Soreness. 



Fig. 519. — Extreme Case 

 of Contraction and Soreness. 



the vascular structure and coronary ring will be immediately re- 

 lieved, and the sole, which in all cases of this character has been 

 forced up, as shown, to an acute angle, will straighten and let down. 

 To aid this, the sole must, by paring, be made so flexible that, as 

 the foot is opened, it will settle down and come back to its natural 

 condition. The soreness resulting from the compression of the 

 parts will be removed, and a better condition of circulation and nu- 

 trition result. By this course the mobility will not only be re- 

 stored, the horse travel with more freedom and confidence, but as 

 the hoof grows down it will become thicker and of a better fiber. 



As before explained, to bring about a healthy condition of cir- 

 culation and nutrition, the frog must necessarily be given contact 

 with the ground to the degree it will bear, which should be provided 



