ART OF SHOEING. 545 



more extensive and better-balanced bearing surface than pre- 

 viously existed. Thus the word ' adjusting,' or preparing the 

 foot for the shoe, is more applicable than that commonly 

 used, of ' paring out the feet ;' indeed, this latter term is 

 thoroughly objectionable, because we never, in the sense im- 

 plied, pare out the feet at all, the parts detached are not 

 pared away by us, as has been the prevailing custom, and 

 we hold the integrity of the hoof in all its parts to be essen- 

 tial to the foot's health, and to a due performance of its func- 

 tions ; the wall is the chief part we have to act on in the 

 process, which, when defended by an iron shoe, and its con- 

 sumption is thereby prevented, grows long and deep, and re- 

 quires reduction to its due proportion at each shoeing, or 

 about every thirty days, even if the horse does not work 

 sufficiently to wear out his shoes in that time. 



When it is understood how the feet repose on the 

 ground, and sustain the action exerted on them, the neces- 

 sity for adapting the shoe in conformity will be appa- 

 rent. In preparing a foot of which the substance of hoof 

 abounds, there are three points to which attention should 

 be drawn viz., across the toe, or point, and the posterior 

 extremity on either side. When a horse's foot is much grown 

 up, it becomes what is called long at the toe, and it is at that 

 part more than any other that the instrument is applied for 

 its reduction. At the same time, due proportion is to be 

 given, and the just obliquity of the foot restored or main- 

 tained, by adapting the two posterior extremities of the wall to 

 their required depth. Taking the three points above named 

 in order, and for our guide, we carry the rasp over the inter- 

 vening spaces laterally, which requires to be done nicely that 

 is, with a clear understanding of requirement and a light 

 touch. One amongst the many prevailing errors in practice 

 consists in rasping and cutting down across the quarters, 



TOL. II. 4 F 



