MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 41 



(b) The fit of the outline of the shoe. Does it correctly follow the 

 outline of the wall to the last nail hole, and from there extend outward, 

 allowing^ proper space for expansion? Note particularly whether the 

 wall has been rasped to fit the shoe. 



(c) The toe clip. Is it in the center? Is it of sufficient strength. 

 height, properly finished and seated? 



(d) The nails. Are they evenly driven, the proper height and dis- 

 tance apart? Have any old nail stubs been left in the wall? 



(e) The clinches. Are they of proper size? Are they well turned 

 and set in? Are they smoothed ofif and not rasped sufficiently to 

 weaken them? 



The foot should then be raised and the examination continued in 

 the following manner: 



(a) The shoe. Is it the proper size and weight? The last nail 

 hole not farther back than the bend of the quarter? 



(b) The preparation of the foot. Has enough horn been removed? 

 Has too much been removed? Is the foot level? 



(c) Bearing surface of the foot. Does the shoe rest evenly on the 

 wall, covering the buttress and showing no air spaces at any point? 



(d) Concaving the shoe. Is the shoe properly concaved.^ .No sole 

 pressure at any point? 



(e^ Use of the knife. Has the knife been used on the bars, sole, or 

 frog? 



(f) The nails. Are they well seated in the crease? Are they 

 the correct size? Are they all of the same size? 



(g) The heels of the shoe. Are they the correct width and thick- 

 ness, properly rounded, without sharp edges or points? Is their 

 length even with the bulb of the frog? 



In cases where animals have been shod with calk shoes the follow- 

 ing should so be noted: 



(a) Toe calk. Is it properly secured and of proper height and 

 length? 



(b) Heel calk. Are they of same height as the toe calk? Are they 

 properly turned and finished? 



After becoming accustomed to making the daily inspection the time 

 necessarv should not exceed five minutes for each horse. 



EXERCISE AND CONDITIONING 



Exercise and conditioning are very closely related, as conditioning 

 is largely dependent upon the exercise and feed given. Condition 

 means much more than looking well. Animals are considered to be 

 in fit condition when the body and muscular organs are in a condition 

 to perform without injury the work required. Hence conditioning 

 depends upon the degree of fitness required of the animal for the 

 class of work to be done. In the service it means the ability to do 

 ordinary work satisfactorily with a minimum of strain and at the same 

 time to be able to meet any reasonable special demand. This is accom- 



