44 



PRACTICAL HORSESHOEING. 



On ordinary occasions, causing the horse to stand on 

 a level floor, and viewing the hoof in profile a few paces 

 off, is sufficient to inform one of the angle ; but to insure 

 attention to this matter and prevent mistakes, I have con- 

 trived a little instrument for my farriers, which at once 

 shows them the degree of obliquity, and gives them an 

 indication as to the amount of horn to be removed from 

 the toe or heels. 



In the operation of levelling and shortening the hoof, 

 is included the general reduction of the wall. 



Provided the hoof, before it comes into the hands of 

 the farrier, has the proper inclination and is equal on both 

 sides of its ground-face, but is nevertheless overgrown, 

 the artisan has then only to remove the excess of growth 

 without disturbing the relations between the several re- 

 gions of the wall. Or should the hoof be overgrown, too 

 oblique, too upright, or unequal at the sides, then in 

 remedying the one defect he at the same time remedies 

 all. The amount of horn to be removed from the margin 



Fie*. 11. 



of the hoof will depend upon circumstances. It may be 

 laid down as a rule, however, that there being but little 

 horn to remove at the heels, these should only be rasped 

 sufficiently to insure the removal of all loose material in- 

 capable of supporting the shoe ; the quarters or sides of 

 the hoof may require a freer application of the rasp, but 



