CHAPTER VI. 



CORNS AND HOW TO TREAT THEM. 



This difficulty thoug-li a prolific cause of trouble to all 

 horseshoers has, for some reason or other, received less 

 attention than its merits would seem to deserve. Such 

 articles as have been contributed to the columns of the 

 Blacksmith and Wheelwright, are presented in this chap- 

 ter for the consideration of the reader. 



Shoeing to Prevent Corns. 



There have been manj^ writers who have appeared to 

 settle the question of the cause, prevention, and cure of 

 corns, their theories being all based upon the assumption 

 that vertical pressure causes the corn. Respectfully I ask 

 that such writers go a little deeper into the subject and see 

 if the facts do not point to transverse pressure as the 

 cause, and to vertical pressure, rightly applied, as the pre- 

 ventive and cure, where cure is possible. Will the writer 

 who advises paring out the sole and concaving the shoe so 

 that the entire hoof contact shall be with the shell only, 

 explain why it is necessary to prevent the sole from taking 

 any part of the pressure as far as possible ? Of course, the 

 answer ma^^ be : 



" Because sole pressure makes the corns, and removing 

 sole pressure will cure them." 



But, some of us don't accept this. We believe that all 

 parts of the foot have functions to perform, and that 

 removing vertical pressure by digging out the sole, concav- 



