I4t 



after the heads are worn flat, the groove assists 

 the horse in holding the ground, and conse- 

 quently in keeping his feet. The only objec- 

 tion to the groove going all round is, that it 

 weakens the shoe, and makes it more liable to 

 bend, but this might be remedied by making 

 it narrower and thicker. In punching the 

 holes for the nails, two punches ought to be 

 used, the one rather thicker, and somewhat 

 blunt at the point. With this the holes are 

 punched nearly through. This part is per- 

 formed on the solid anvil. The other punch 

 has a finer point, and the shoe with the half 

 punched hole placed over a hole in the anvil, and 

 thus punched entirely through. This last opera- 

 tion forms the hole finer upwards, which con- 

 sequently fits the nail the better. The head 

 of the punch oug'ht to be inclined inwards to 

 the middle of the shoe, which gives the holes 

 a direction outwards, and will prevent pricking, 

 as it gives the nails a direction outward from, 

 the quick part of the foot. In punching the 

 holes of the shoe, the farrier ought particu- 

 larly to adhere to this method. The fore shoes 

 should not be longer than the foot, because 

 horses that clap or overreach will sometimes 



