46 



THE PRACTICAL HORSESHOER. 



soon as the nail comes, through a little, I pull the point over 

 a trifle, then driv^e the nail up and instead of twisting the 

 end I hit it a light blow, which bends it around in the shape 

 represented in Fig. 12 of the accompanying illustrations, in 

 which the position of the nail is shown before and after 

 bending. This leaves it in a safe position to draw down 



Fig. 12.— Bending Horse Nails by the Method of "P. B. G." The Nail Before and 



After Bending. 



and one not dangerous to man or horse. Since I followed 

 this plan I liave never torn m^^ apron or pants or scratched 

 my hands. My customers often wonder why my hands are 

 not scarred like those of other smiths. The pincers I use 

 are shown in Fig. 13. They have a spring in them which 



Fig. 13.— The Pincers. 



keeps them alwa^^s open and ready to take hold quick]}^. 

 Fig. 14 represents a shoeing stand I use. It is a movable 

 block with a staff that has a block of iron at the top to set 

 the foot on. This stand makes the job of shoeing easier for 

 both man and horse. — By P. B. G. 



