172 THE PRACTICAL HORSESHOER. 



would have fewer corns. In shoeing I prefer a wide heel 

 and mule the heels of the forward shoes whether they have 

 corns or not, on horses that have flat feet- 



For interfering-, level the foot and fit the shoe all around 

 close. Then mule the inside heel slightly. In winter it is 

 a good plan to turn the outside heel-calk, as it keeps the 

 foot out of the trough of the road. 



For overreaching I have the best success shoeing with 

 long shoes all around. Let the heels of the forward shoes 

 stick out an inch and the hind shoes three-quarters of an 

 inch. As the forward foot raises the long shoe will raise 

 enough so the hind foot will pass under, while with a short 

 one the shoe will raise just.enougli for the hind shoe to hit 

 the heels, causing a disagreeable clicking. I can do better 

 and quicker work with knife and rasp than with butteris. 



If the foot is grown out ver}^ long I take the cutting pli- 

 ers and nip the hoof off from quarters to toe. Tliis insures 

 the removal of the stubs of nails, and with a sharp knife 

 and rasp*, the foot is soon ready. I practice cokl fitting, 

 although I do not think a thick shelled foot is injured by 

 touching it with a red hot shoe that was previously fitted. 



A thin-shelled foot I never press with a hot shoe. I was 

 taught to weld toe-calks on shoes first and Iieel up after- 

 wards, but I practice heeling shoes first and put on the toe- 

 calk when ready to use the shoe. 'If 3^ou toe last there will "*- 

 be heat enough in the shoe after welding the calk to fit the 

 shoe. I let the heels, which are nearh^ cold, drop on the 

 wall of the foot and hold the toe, which is red hot, an inch 

 awaj' from the foot while fitting. After the shoe is fitted and 

 level, harden the toe and nail on. I know a great man^' 

 advocate heating a shoe red hot after the foot is prepared 

 and the shoe fitted and press the foot for an instant with 

 the hot shoe. But all the advantage they claim is an equal 

 bearing and that the shoe will be less liable to come off. 



