HORSE-SHOEING. 101 



nominated tlie "ground surface;" and.tlie part that 

 goes next to the foot, the " foot surface." 



In turnhig your store shoes " in the rough," you 

 should leave them lon^-er at the heels than smitlis 

 generally do ; and you should make the web as wide 

 at the heels as it is at the toe, and of the same thick- 

 ness throughout from the toe back to the heels. The 

 " fuller" should be carried quite round the shoe to 

 the heels, and the fuller-iron should have both sides 

 alike. 



Choosing a Shoe. 



The first thing to look to in choosing a shoe is the 

 kind of foot you have to deal with. If the foot be a 

 strong, good-shaped one, it will be an easy matter to 

 find a shoe for it ; only take care that the web is not 

 too narrow., and that the shoe is not too light. A 

 light shoe is apjt to bend before it is half worn out ; 

 and the pain caused by the pressure of the. bent nails 

 against the tender lining of the hoof, throws the horse 

 down, and most likely breaks his knees. If the foot 

 should be flat, with a weak, brittle crust, you must 

 still choose a stout shoe ; for a horse with such a foot 

 could not go at all on a bent shoe ; and the slioe must 

 have a wide web, because the sole is sure to be thin, 

 and will need plenty of cover to protect it. 



You must also look to the seating ; for, if the foot 

 is weak and flat, the shoe must be well seated out to 

 prevent its pressing upon and bruising the sole ; but 



