THE SHOE. 73 



The fewer the number of nail-holes, the greater is the 

 necessity for distributing them wide apart ; indeed, it is a 

 grave blunder to cluster the nails closely together in the 

 hoof, as they break and weaken the horn, and attach the 

 shoe much less securely than if they were spread over a 

 wider surface. Calkins demand the employment of addi- 

 tional nails, from their liability to become fixed between 

 stones, and also from the strain they occasion. 



It must always be remembered that the retention of a 

 shoe for a sufficient period does not so much depend upon 

 the number of the nails attaching it, as upon their disposi- 

 tion and upon its exact fitting and solid bearing on the wall 

 and sole of the hoof. It should also be borne in mind that 

 where there is a clip there ought to be no nail ; lameness 

 is not unfrequently produced by a tightly-adjusted clip 

 making so much pressure upon the nail and horn within it 

 as to cause pain and inflammation. 



We have alluded to the various patterns of shoes in 

 use, and pointed out their defects and requirements. As, 

 in preparing the hoof, general principles were laid down 

 which are applicable to every kind of animal — from the 

 race-horse to the mammoth draught-beast employed in our 

 large manufacturing cities — so in the shape of the shoe 

 and its essential characteristics general principles must 

 everywhere prevail. Where speed is demanded, as in the 

 race-horse, hunter, etc., lightness and security of foothold 

 on soft or slippery land are the chief desiderata; with 

 coach and other draught animals of less speed, and which 

 are principally used on paved roads, heavier shoes are 

 needed to sustain wear, and they must also afford security; 

 but while, with the racer, hunter, and other animals near- 

 ly always moving over soft soil, calkins may be resorted 

 to without much detriment to the limb and foot, as they 

 sink into the ground, on the shoes of horses working on 

 hard roads they are objectionable for the reasons stated; 



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