112 SYSTEM FOK TRAINING CAVALRY HORSES. 



of , the hoof; hut as the weight of the horse falh 

 differently on the hind-feet to what it does on the 

 fore-feet, and as the rider often obliges the horse tc 

 stop suddenly and without warning, when he is leasl 

 prepared to do so, it becomes necessary to guarc 

 against strains of the hock and back sinews by raising 

 the heels of the shoe, but this should be done in sucl 

 a manner as will give both heels an even bearing or 

 the ground. Calkins may be useful to heavy draught 

 horses, but they are objectionable for riding horses 

 and turning down the outside heel alone should nevei 

 be done. 



The best plan is to have the last inch and a hal 

 toward the heel forged thicker than any other par 

 of the shoe ; the heels are then made redhot, anc 

 the shoe is put in the vice with the redhot heels pro 

 jecting, which are beaten down with a hammer, unti 

 they are about an inch long, and then the sides ar( 

 made even, and the foot and ground surfaces level or 

 the anvil. 



The toe of the hind-shoe is exposed to great Avear 

 and should be made stout, and thick, and rather point- 

 ed, with a small clip in the middle to prevent the shot 

 from being driven backward ; and the back edge of tht 

 web should be rounded off, to guard against " over- 

 reach." The toe should rest fairly on the ground, tc 

 enable the horse to get a good purchase for throw- 

 ing his weight forward. It is a bad plan to make the 

 toe broad, and to place clips at the side of it. 



