20 THE SHOEING OF HORSES. 



rule of sufficient length to reach from one side to the other. Now 

 look under the rule, and observe what width of iron it rests upon. 

 If the shoe be large and properly made, half an inch of level 

 seating ought to exist around its foot surface ; but if the shoe be 

 not seated, the bevelling will be seen to occupy the entire web, or 

 to extend from the outer to the inner rim of the shoe. If the 

 latter, it will be readily seen that in the case of a foot regularly 

 nailed to such a shoe (especially if the sole be flat), its integrity 

 must in time succumb ; the wall will be forced outwards, and the 

 sole must become pumiced ; and unless the system of shoeing 

 pursued be changed, it is equally certain that the animal must 

 become useless. 



Curving the Toe. — One more essential — an essential the con- 

 sideration of which we have purposely left to the last — is the 

 curving of the toe of the foot, to adapt it to a similar curve to be 

 given by the farrier to the shoe. 



The question may be asked, Why this curve, and for what 

 purpose given ? The reason is important ; and we shall endea- 

 vour to state our views fully upon the matter. If the reader can 

 procure the forefoot of an unshod colt, that is, a foot which never 

 has been shod, and place it upon a level surface (a board, for 

 example), and hold the same to the light and at a level with the 

 eye, he will observe the light passing between the foot and the 

 board in a manner to show a curve of the foot at the toe. This 

 fact is observable not only upon the foot of the unshod colt, but 

 also upon the feet of horses at grass, that is, if such horses have 

 had their feet for some time untrammelled with shoes. It may 



