64 



SHOEING. 



th-e increased weight would make it seriously objectionable. The 

 fitting of a thin piece of steel plate, as shown in Fig. 5i>8, would en- 

 able this to be done with but little addition to its weight. The 

 manner of putting it on was simply by bringing the whole sur- 

 face of the wall ana frog to an even bearing, to which the shoe was 

 carefully adjusted. 



Next, the space between 

 the shoe and bottom of the 

 foot was filled with oakum, 

 to which was added a little 

 tar and resin, so as to form 

 an even but firm support all 

 the way round.* The draw- 

 ing of the oakum, as it ap- 

 pears in Fig. 601, is an ex- 

 act illustration of that which 

 was used upon the shoe 

 named, though only the 

 back part of it is shown. 

 Parties who had used the 

 shoe upon feet which had 

 become sore and tender 

 from driving upon hard, 

 stony roads in the city and 

 neighborhood, stated that 

 it enabled the horses to 

 travel much better. If the 

 foot is sore and sensitive, 

 supporting it with a bed of 

 oakum in this way will 

 serve to break concussion,' 

 and consequently make the 

 horse go better for a time. 

 But for contraction, quar- 

 ter-crack, coffin-joint lame- 

 ness, etc., for which it was advertised as a cure, it cannot benefit 

 beyond the effect of slightly breaking concussion, as explained. 

 It would be just the thing for weak heels and for any condition 



*A preparation of tar, beeswax, hard soap, and resin, melted and formed into a 

 salve, to be used with oakum as a packing, was given the writer by a horseman of 

 much experience, as the best for this purpose, claiming that it softened the feet and 

 stimulated the secretion of horn. 



Fig. 559. — Spreaders in Position to Open the Heels. 



