24: THE PRACTICAL HORSESHOER. 



tender-footed, uncertain-g-aited stumbler that flinches every 

 time the feet touch a stone or uneven spot in the road, 

 until the ever-present dread of hurting* the feet on the 

 part of tlie horse destroys all pleasure on the part of the 

 driver. 



I am contradicting the authorities, I know, but I once had 

 a horse shod for quarter cracks according to the popular 

 idea, '' Feet cut away to remove all pressure from the parts 

 affected." It was a bad case, two cracks in each foot, both 

 sides of both feet cracked. " Old Ben " went so lame that 

 I was ashamed to drive him. I took him back after a few 

 daj^s to the man who had cut away his feet and shod him. 

 I said : 



'' This horse can't go, so I want these shoes taken off, and 

 his feet pared level ; then I want a pair of good thick shoes 

 of equal thickness all the way around put on so that they 

 will bear evenly from toe to heel, the shoe and hoof coming 

 together evenly all the way around just as any two level 

 surfaces must ; then when the weight is thrown upon the 

 feet there will be no unequal strain set up." 



Did P. K. — counted the best shoer in town— see the point ? 

 No, he did not. He said, " You can't pare those feet down 

 enough now to make them level without paring too much; 

 you will have to wait till they grow. Besides, if the feet 

 could be pared and shod according to your idea you could 

 not drive the horse at all. In fact, I don't believe you could 

 get him home ; 3^ou had better let him be as he is. I think, 

 with my experience in horseshoeing, you ought to be will- 

 ing to admit that my judgment is better on the subject than 

 yours." 



Said I : **The horse is mine ; if he can't go after shoeing 

 in m3^ way he may stand still, and if you shoe him accord- 

 ing to my instructions you shall take none of the blame if 

 he is worse for it." The bar shoes were removed and care- 

 Cully preserved by the shoer, who said: '^ You will want them 



