62 MANUAL FOR ARMY HORSESHOERS. 



the upper surface ^rs^ in order to give the nail holes the proper slope 

 and to remove the slight burr left on the machine-punched shoe, 

 and the lower surface last, so that the hole will be finished in the 

 shape of the nail. For the first work the shoe may be placed any- 

 w^here on the face of the anvil, because the service shoe is thick 

 enough to prevent any chance of spoiling the point of the pritchel; 

 but for the last work the pritchel or hardy hole must be utilized, 

 as previously explained. The toe clip generally makes it difficult 

 or impossible to place the nail hole nearest the toe over the pritchel 

 or hardy hole. For these nail holes shift the shoe to the nearest end 

 of the face of the anvil and hold the nail hole slightly outside of 

 the edge. 



It will generally be found that the work up to this stage can be 

 done with the heat remaining from that required for the toe clip. 

 Beginners, however, may find it necessary to reheat the shoe in 

 order to open the toe. In tliis case, place the shoe in the fire with 

 the clip up, to avoid burning it. 



Cool the shoe and apply it to the foot. In order to secure a neat 

 fit at the toe it is necessary to make a seat for the clip, which other- 

 wise will stand out its full thickness. Now is the time to prepare 

 this seat. Place the shoe in position with the clip accurately 

 centered, and, using the knife, scratch a small mark on the edge of 

 the wall at each end of the clip. Put the shoe aside and carefully 

 whittle away the edge of the wall between the two marks. Work 

 slowly and test frequently by replacing the shoe, so that you will 

 cut away just what is necessary and no more. {See Seedy toe, 

 par. 86.) 



Now make the first trial of the fit. If the toe is correct, note 

 where either of the sides needs reshaping. The quarters will usually 

 be found too full, and if so must be heated and shaped over the horn 

 by the method explained in the plate shoe, except that the shoe 

 is slightly turned so that blows will fall on the edge of the upper 

 surface in order to avoid closing the crease. 



The outline of the finished shoe must exactly follow the outer 

 edge of the hoof to the last nail hole, and gradually widen from that 

 point so that about an eighth of an inch of the upper surface will 

 show at the end of the heel. If, however, a foot is found to have a 

 portion of the wall broken off when the animal is brought to the 

 shop, the shoe must be fitted so as to follow the original outline of 

 the wall. Fitting the shoe so that the nail holes will fall on the 

 outer edge of the white line is a good guide for outline in the case of 



