96 PRACTICAL HORSESHOEING. 



ent directions according to circumstances. Sometimes 

 the heads are of steel, when of course they are more last- 

 ing. For short journeys, frost-nails are useful and easily 

 available ; but as they only last for a brief period, and as 

 their frequent renewal injures the hoof to some extent, 

 they are only to be used when the services of the horse 

 are not likely to be in great demand for any length of 

 time, or when the frost promises to be very transient. 

 They are best adapted for saddle and carriage horses. 

 To prevent injury to the hoof, and at the same time to 

 obtain all the advantages of frost-nails, I have often, in 

 the winter season, had extra holes punched in the shoes 

 — one at the extremity of each heel, and one on each side 

 of the toe. These nail-holes were large, and were stamped 

 so obliquely outward, that the frost-nails, when the occa- 

 sion required them, could be passed through them and 

 lapped firmly over the edge of the shoe without interfer- 

 ing with the hoof. They may be made altogether of soft 

 steel, the heads alone being tempered. I have found this 

 plan most convenient and effective, as the hoof and shoe 

 are not disturbed, and the nails can be renewed as often 

 as may be necessary. 



The usual plan is to remove the shoes from the hoofs 

 and give them sharpened calkins, and it may be toe-pieces 

 also sharp. This is not a good fashion if it has to be often 

 repeated, as the hoofs are damaged by the frequent nail- 

 ing, the horses are apt to be lamed, and the shoes to be- 

 come loose. It is for the time being, however, Very effec- 

 tive. "When the calks and toe-pieces are only made of 

 iron, and if the ground be not covered with a sufficient 

 layer of snow to protect them to some extent, they soon 

 become blunted, and the shoes then require to be taken 

 off and the process repeated. To remedy this, if time 

 permits, it is an excellent plan to weld in the calkin, or 

 toe-piece, or on the face of the shoe, a piece of steel (Figs. 



