40 AIOUNTED INSTRUCTION 



A shoeing" roster should be kept showing when and what shoeing 

 was done for each animal. 



An average day's work of thorough shoeing is about eight feet shod 

 with new shoes. If many old shoes can be reset, i. e., the shoes pulled 

 off, feet trimmed down and shoes replaced, considerably more than 

 eight can be done. If many special or pathological shoes are required, 

 not so many can be expected. 



No shoe should be allowed to remain on an animal's foot longer 

 than thirty days. The wear on the shoe depends upon the nature 

 and the amount of work and the kind of roads or terrain over which 

 it is performed. 



Macadam roads and rocky soil will cause the shoes to wear much 

 faster than soft roads and turf. But the growth of horn is approxi- 

 mately the same for all cases, and after a month's growth the horn 

 is too long and needs taking down. 



The resetting of old shoes whenever it is justified by the amount of 

 wear left in them, is recommended as an economical measure. 



The horseshoer knows from his shoeing roster exactly when each 

 animal must be shod to conform to the thirty-day requirement. He 

 should inspect the feet of all animals daily, preferably at "Stables," 

 and attend to any that need it, also attend to any that are specially 

 reported to him. 



When the soil, the nature of the work, and the condition of the feet 

 permit, it is advisable to remove the shoes and allow the animals to 

 go barefooted. Going barefooted rests the feet, favors freer expansion, 

 toughens the horn, and assists nature in restoring the foot to its natural 

 condition. However, the feet must have sufficient horn to allow for 

 wear. 



On removal of shoes the feet must be trimmed slightly to prevent 

 chipping or splintering of the horn. 



It is only very rarely that animals can be permitted to go barefooted 

 in the field, as there is too much uncertainty as to what work troops 

 may be called upon to do on short notice. 



On going into the field troops should, whenever possible, start out 

 freshly shod, and each man should have one extra fitted front and hind 

 shoe with sufficient nails, for each horse. The field shoeing kit should 

 never be left behind unless absolutely unavoidable. 



Any animal losing a shoe on the march must be attended to then. 

 If neglected, lameness will almost surely result. 



Organization Commanders and Platoon Leaders should inspect all 

 animals under their command daily. At stables they should inspect 

 the animals freshly shod, the Stable Sergeant and Horseshoer being 

 present for this inspection. 



The horse should be examined on a level f^oor, as otherwise it is 

 impossible to determine whether he is standing correctly or not. 



The following points should be carefully noted and any improper 

 or carelessly shod animals returned to the shop the next day : 



(a) Pastern and foot axes. View the foot from the front and side 

 to determine whether the axes are correct. 



