2 2 THE SHOEING OF HORSES. 



From the curve given to the foot, we proceed to the con- 

 sideration of 



Curviitg the Shoe. — The pecuharity to be borne in mind of 

 curving the foot and the shoe is this : the two curves require to be 

 adapted exactly to each other. It is easy to adapt the foot and the 

 shoe to each other, when both are level from heel to toe ; in this 

 case the weight of the limb, when placed upon the ground, is 

 equally distributed over the shoe. Now, in curving the foot and 

 the shoe, it is necessary that this equal distribution of weight should 

 remain the same, or as nearly the same as practicable ; or, as though 

 the foot and the shoe were, so to speak, both level. If the curves 

 are made too suddenly, the action of the limb will be materially 

 altered ; the foot will lose its grasp or pressure upon the ground, 

 and the safety of the animal may be endangered. Perhaps the 

 best rule to adopt in this case will be the following : let the farrier 

 mentally divide the ground surface of the foot and the corre- 

 sponding foot surface of the shoe into three equal spaces, similar 

 to what is represented at Plate VII. The farrier should begin to 

 curve the foot and the shoe a little in advance of line 2 ; the com- 

 mencement should be extremely slight, gradually becoming more 

 and more as he approaches the point of the toe (see Plate VIII., 

 Figs. 1 and 2). The curve at the toe of the foot is obtained by 

 a removal of horn from the space indicated in Plate VI. Having 

 first procured the desired curve of the shoe, apply it hot to the 

 level foot, mark where the curved portion of the shoe scorches 

 the horn, then slightly scorch the hoof again, and in this manner 

 proceed until the two curves are exactly fitted to each other. The 



