MANUAL FOR ARMY HORSESHOERS. 65 



istic sensation called the "feel of the nail." A nail driven into 

 healthy horn gives off a distinct sound which the shoer soon learns 

 to recognize. All nails going properly must be driven with con- 

 siderable force. A nail driven ^vith. slight resistance, i. e., "going 

 easy,"' is either in an old nail hole or serious damage is being done 

 because the nail is entering the soft sensitive structures of the foot 

 (pricking). 



Nail heads must be sunk in the crease until they are flush with the 

 ground surface of the shoe. If this is not done, the heads may project 

 unevenly and throw the foot off the level. They will also wear 

 quickly and cause a loose shoe. 



SECURING THE SHOE. 



56. The shoe is placed upon the bearing surface of the foot and 

 held firmly in position with the left hand, back up. A nail is placed 

 between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, the flat side 

 faced outuard, and the thumb and the fingers are then extended 

 along the right side of the shoe until the nail is held squarely in the 

 center of the most convenient nail hole, usually the third (the third 

 hole on the left side for a left-handed man); with a toe clip on the 

 shoe the second nail hole is generally used. The nail head is tapped 

 lightly with the driving hammer. The nail should be held firmly 

 to determine the feel, and the thumb and forefinger should not be 

 removed until the nail, going soundly, needs no further guidance. 

 The shoe is then grasped more firmly and the nail is driven with 

 slightly increased force. The fingers, placed on the wall of the foot, 

 determine the exact location at which the nail emerges. 



With the claw of the hammer the point of the nail is then bent 

 upward until it stands at a right angle to the wall. Next, the head 

 of the hammer is grasped in the hand and the claw is pushed firmly 

 downward, clutching the nail point. A half turn downward and a 

 slight pull wrings the point off close to the wall, leaving enough nail 

 to form the clinch. In wringing off nails the hammer is held in the 

 hand nearest the nail point. 



As the first nail when driven may cause the shoe to shift, it is 

 essential to place it exactly in the center of the nail hole. If the 

 shoe has altered its position on the foot a pressure on the opposite 

 side of the shoe by the palm of the hand and a few light blows of the 

 hammer on the lower border of the wall where the first nail is driven 

 will move the shoe back to place. 



17722°— 17— 5 



