SHOEING. 189 



slippery roads, granite, wood, and asphalte pavements, and 

 in frosty weather, no roughing being necessary. 



(3) It is the only shoe which gives the foot the natural 

 support of the crust, sole, bars, and frog, which latter, in 

 ordinary shoeing, are invariably cut away. 



(4) All the parts of this essential organ being brought by 

 its use to perform their natural functions, they are kept in 

 a healthy state of expansion and development, thereby pre- 

 venting corns, sand-cracks, contraction of the heels, mus- 

 cular diseases, tendency to hoof-bound, and numerous other 

 affections. 



(5) The hghtness and conformity to the wall of the foot 

 (of which it resembles a continuation) make it the most 

 humane method for the animal. 



The mode of application will best be ascertained by a 

 visit to the establishment of Mr. Henry W. Stevens, 

 M.R.C.V.S.L., 9, Park Lane, Piccadilly, London. The 

 following notes may, however, explain the mode of appli- 

 cation. The only instrument differing from those employed 

 by every shoeing-smith is a drawing-knife, with moveable 

 guide to regulate the depth of the groove. The nails are 

 the ordinary EngHsh countersunk pattern, the heads flattened 

 to fit the groove in the shoe. Much smaller sizes are used 

 than with ordinary shoes. 



In preparing the foot to receive the shoe the lower edge 

 of the hoof is boldly but evenly rasped off at an angle, 

 forming thereby a sloping surface on which it is more easy 

 to employ the drawing-knife. 



On this sloping surface the drawing-knife cuts a groove, 

 as depicted in the following wood-cut, in the wall or crust 

 for the reception of the shoe. A properly trained smith can 

 so cut this channel that it shall have the exact room for the 

 reception of the shoe and can insure a perfect fit. Care 



