DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 253 



NAILS. 



The following old adage is quite a compliment to the horse- 

 shoe nail: 



"' For the want of a nail the shoe was lost; " 

 For the want of a shoe the horse was lost; 

 For the want of a horse the rider was lost; 

 And all for the want of a horseshoe nail." 



The fewest nails, and those of the smallest size that will hold 

 the shoe on the proper length of time, is a good rule to follow. 

 The nail holes should not be punched too near the outside edge 

 of the web of the shoe a very common failing of "keg shoes." 

 Two of the commonest errors in shoeing are, using too many 

 nails, and these of too large a size, and then driving them up 

 too high into the w r alls. If the foot has been properly pared and 

 a perfectly level bearing secured, it is astonishing how few and 

 how small nails will hold the shoe firmly in its place; but if the 

 fitting has been carelessly done, no matter how the shoe may be 

 nailed on, but a short time will elapse before the shoe works 

 loose. If we could do away with nails altogether, it would be a 

 good thing for our horse's feet. This, however, we can not do at 

 present, and will continue to use nails, which have stood the test 

 so long, until something better is invented. Nailless horse- 

 shoes have been invented and patented of late, but don't seem to 

 come into general use. We have been unable to see and examine 

 any of these shoes, so can't speak of their merits. 



The "Charlier shoe," invented some years ago by a veterinary 

 surgeon of Paris, France, is no doubt a shoe that has not received 

 the attention that it should. In writing of this shoe, William 

 Dickson says: "I have used both the Charlier shoe and the tip in 

 this country as well as in the East Indies, and I am perfectly 



