38 THE PRACTICAL HOHSESHOER. 



front in order to prevent it from g-oing- back. Tlie hoof is cut 

 away in order to let the cUp in. Nature has provided for 

 the protection of the front of the hoof by locating- a thicker 

 crust at that point. The iron clip affords still additional 

 protection. 



A corn is observed at the heel of one of the front feet. 

 Here is the cause of so much uneasiness in the horse. To 

 treat the corn the smith removes the surface as much 

 as required, sometimes to a considerable depth, and pours 

 spirits of salt on it if bare. In some cases blue-stone, pul- 

 verized, is used. Some smiths emplo^^ tar, tallow and, cotton 

 mixed. Pure pine balsam is a most excellent article for the 

 purpose. Relieving the part of pressure where the corn 

 appears is the principle aimed at in shoeing. The shoe is 

 placed on and the nails are not drawn tight at the side where 

 the corn is. 



The peculiarities of horses when brought to be shod are 

 observed by the smith. Holding down a horse's tail some- 

 times keeps him quiet during the operation. Some require 

 a twitch on the ui^per lip, while others will not stand it 

 there, so that it is put on the lower lip. The throwing of a 

 bad horse with rings and straps is better than stocking him. 

 A horse when on the ground lies easily, but in the stocks 

 there is a strain that is no ways beneficial to him. 



The paring of the hoof requires some thought. Some 

 pare until warned to stop by the sole giving away under the 

 knife. This is a gross error. Remove the dead part of the 

 sole and no more. An examination of the internal struc- 

 ture of the hoof proves most conclusivel}^ that the bars are 

 for strength for that part that terminates at the heels. 

 Open the heels well, not sharp at the extreme part of the 

 opening, as if cut with a sharp chisel, but round at the 

 base. Level the crust to that point that experience dic- 

 tates. Cut down the toe as much as possible, so as to take 

 away that spreading character that the foot will assume 



