THE PRACTICAL HORSESHOER. 



117 



should never be pared down into the tough, elastic horn, 

 thoug-h all scaly masses on the surface may be safel}^ re- 

 moved. After shaving', the use of hoof ointment will serve 

 to prevent evaporation and dr3'ing", and is absolutely need- 

 ful after the foot has been softened b}^ poulticing*. A mix- 

 ture of equal parts of Avood tar and sweet oif will answer 

 admirably. This brushed daily over the entire surface of 

 the horn — wall, sole and frog- — will usually preserve a suf- 



Fig. 66— A Faulty Method of Driving Nails. 



ficiency of moisture and the natural elasticity and tough- 

 ness of the horn. — Prof. Law in Farmer's Gazette. 



Shoeing Contracted Feet. 



My method of shoeing for contracted feet, is as follows : 

 I make a shoe to fit the foot nicely a-ll around and ti-im the 

 foot as much as it will bear, taking- care to keep it as level 

 as possible and not to disturb the frog or interfere with the 

 bridge. I then put the shoe on the foot and drive in all the 

 nails, bending them up against the foot instead of breaking 



