MANUAL FOR ARMY HORSESHOERS. 107 



If a helper is not available, the sheer secures one end of the rope 

 to the D ring (by the eye or by a knot), passes the other end through 

 the surcingle ring on his own side and, after raising the foot, ties a 

 half hitch. 



TO RAISE A HIND FOOT. 



(FmsT Method.) 



113. Strap the cuff around the pastern, the ring above the heels. 

 Draw the horse's tail- to one side and make a loop in it; fasten one 

 end of the rope in the loop by a " single sheet bend . ' ' Pass the other 

 end through the D ring and draw it to the rear, where it is held by 

 helpers. The horse is tied, but the head is held as usual, ^^^len 

 the sheer raises the foot, the helpers draw in the slack of the rope 

 and the foot is supported (by the animal himself) in a good position 

 for work. If he kicks he can do no harm, as his foot must move 

 along the rope. After one or two such efforts he ^vill ordinarily 

 stand quiet. 



If helpers are not available, the end of the rope may be secured 

 to a post or tree, but must be fastened in a manner to permit of prompt 

 release in case of a protracted struggle, during which the horse might 

 throw himself and be injiu-ed. 



Mr. Churchill, instructor in shoeing, used this device for 14 years 

 in civilian practice v.ith unfailing success. (See Plate XVI.) 



TO RAISE A HIND FOOT. 



(Second Method.) 



113. Strap the cuff around the pastern, the ring to the front. 

 Put the surcingle around the neck in front of the shoulders, loosely, 

 so that it will not bind and choke the animal. Make the rope fast 

 in a ring on the surcingle, pass the free end through the ring on the 

 cuff and back through the ring on the surcingle, and draw the foot 

 forward and upward. This is an inconvenient position of the foot 

 for an inexperienced workman, but it prevents the animal from 

 kicking and guards both the animal and the sheer from injury. 

 With a little care the animal can be quickly ^and properly shod. 



If the rigging is not at hand use a 1-inch or 1^-inch rope, preferably 

 the latter size, as smaller rope is apt to burn the animal. Make a 

 loose collar -with a short piece of rope, pass a loop of a long rope around 

 the pastern and draw the foot up as described above. If only one 



