ART OF SHOEING. 549 



we can admit of some latitude in the diversity, consistently 

 with good execution of the whole process. We profess to 

 have no special shoe, nor do we ever find ourselves in so 

 remote a place from home that we cannot get a man to make 

 shoes to answer our purpose, which we can adjust to horses' 

 feet in all cases, or direct in ordinary requirements how they 

 should be fitted. It is this last part, coming after the pre- 

 paration of the foot, which determines the good result of the 

 whole operation. There are, however, some rules to be ob- 

 served for forging shoes, which, unless they be properly 

 made, we cannot succeed well in fitting, and exceedingly well- 

 forged horse-shoes may also be so badly finished and nailed 

 to the feet, that the end is defeated more or less completely. 



The fact is, that in the practice of shoeing we are operat- 

 ing on living structures, and though it is difficult for most 

 people to understand this special phase of the art, the truth 

 does force itself occasionally, though, unfortunately, it is the 

 poor horses that really feel where the shoe pinches; losses 

 to owners through shoeing not following instantaneously on 

 the cause, the extent of the evil consequences is not appre- 

 ciated. 



If a man has arms only to wield the hammer, there is not 

 much care taken about whether he has knowledge and a 

 reflective mind, which alone can insure good execution, on 

 which depends the normal action of the horse, with health 

 and ease to his feet. 



The rules to be observed in making shoes are first, to 

 use good iron, which, if of fine grain and tough fibre, will 

 bend under the hammer, even when cold; and can be ful- 

 lered and stamped when of a red heat, leaving a clean sur- 

 face, and if the shoes are well forged, they will maintain 

 their form, and afford protection to the foot when they have 

 become thin through wear. 



