MANUAL FOR ARMY HORSESHOERS. 55 



the latter line (c—d) is perpendicular (forming right angles) to the 

 line e—f, the plane of the foot is level. Both sides may be in the 

 same plane and the foot not level. In such a case the plane is canted. 

 The line e—f represents a canted plane, and it will be noted that it 

 does not form right angles with the vertical line c — d. The true or 

 level plane will be found at the line a—b, which line forms a perfect 

 right angle with the line c — d. (PI. XV.) 



46. Place the foot on the ground and examine it from all sides 

 and note carefully the following: Does the foot stand at the prescribed 

 angle; are the quarters equal in height; is the foot either broken out 

 or broken in? If any of these conditions is not correct . the necessary 

 changes should now be made. 



When the leveling of the foot is completed, observe whether the 

 sole is level with the wall at the inner angle of the buttress; if it is, 

 remove a thin plate of horn, not over an eighth of an inch thick, 

 with the knife, being careful not to cut the walls or bars. This is 

 to prevent pressure on the sole, which might result in corns at this 

 point. 



47. Plate XVI shows the appearance of a foot before and after 

 preparation. This is the near forefoot of a field artillery wheel 

 horse, and was selected on account of the clearly defined bars. It 

 is to be observed that in leveling the bottom of this foot, it being a 

 case of flat foot, the rasp trims off the sole inside of the proper weight- 

 bearing surface. The shoe should bear upon the latter surface only. 



THE SHOE. 



48. "\Mien horses are in constant use, it is necessary to prevent 

 the too rapid wear of the hoof. The modern shoe, beyond all ques- 

 tion, is the best means to accomplish this result, although it seri- 

 ously interferes with the natural contraction and expansion of the 

 foot. "When shoes are left on the feet for too great a length of time, 

 corns and other ailments result. Ordinarily a shoe should be re- 

 newed once a month. The heavier the shoe, the greater the labor 

 of the horse. Hence, except in special cases, the lightest shoe that 

 will last about four weeks is the best shoe. The shoe should care- 

 fully follow the form of the foot. If the foot is broken, the shoe 

 follows the original shape of the foot. The upper and lower sur- 

 faces of the shoe should be wider at the toe than at the heels. At 

 the toe the width should be about twice the thickness of the wall 

 of the hoof at that point. The length of the shoe is regulated by 



