274 NAVIN ON THE HORSE. 



Numher of Nails Necessary. — This is a point on which there 

 is much difference of opinion, and many absurd notions enter- 

 tained. Some good authors recommend as many as nine nails 

 to each shoe ; others eight ; others sei^'en ; and some as small 

 a number as five for horses of light service. It is very cer- 

 tain that the nails are principally concerned in confining the 

 hoof, or preventing those spreading and contracting motions 

 which are natural to the hoof, and on which its health and 

 elasticity, or springiness, to so great an extent depend. For 

 this reason that system of nailing should be adopted which 

 will least interfere with those motions, and at the same time 

 secure the shoe on the foot. Two questions, then, are to be 

 considered: what is the least number of nails necessary to 

 Jiold the shoe ? and, how shall they be placed to least inter- 

 fere with the expansion of the foot? IS'ature has so made the 

 inner side of the hoof as to enable it to expand more than the 

 outer, for it is thinner at the quarter and heel, the place where 

 the expansion, or spreading, takes place, as the frog is driven 

 ■or forced up. 



From these facts it would appear that the outer side, or limb, 

 of the shoe should be firmly secured, and the inner limb left 

 as free as possible, so that the inner quarter and heel may move 

 on it. Whatever number of nails are put in the inner side 

 should be placed around the toe. 



I would say, then, that for heavy draught-horses seven nails 

 are sufficient, four in the outer limb of the shoe and three in 

 the inner. It is not so injurious to this class of horses if the foot 

 is more confined. 



For lighter horses, and for quicker action, six nails will be 

 enough, four in the outer limb and two in the inner, and these 

 very near the front of the toe. Free expansion of the foot is 

 of great importance to trotters and racers. A race may be 

 lost by the slightest error or defect in shoeing, especially in 

 the nailing. 



The Fullering. — The groove, or channel, on the ground side 



