90 SCIENTIFIC HORSESHOEING. 



sistent business of the shoer always, to give form to the surface 

 of the foot as well as to the shoe, and that the final test of skill 

 and intelligence is in the best adaptation of one to the other, so 

 that the least possible hurt shall be done to the foot. 



Fig. 28 illustrates the correct way of fitting a shoe, with 

 proper length at toe and heel, with foot leveled and balanced, and 

 front of wall in line with the natural inclination of the ankle 

 from toe to fetlock, all as clearly defined in the section on the 

 "use of the adjuster. (See page 77.) 



Whenever the face of front toe does not line out full and 

 straight from coronet to ground surface by reason of deficient 

 growth, excessive wear, or paring down, the shoe should be 

 made to cover out in front to the line of the natural tread, and 

 thus supply the deficiency of the hoof. Also, where a quick 

 going over of the toe is desired, let the shoe supply the same 

 by being rolled or beveled on the ground surface instead of 

 shortening up the toe of the hoof, as is so frequently done. 



Adaptation of the Shoe. — From this manner of setting, 

 it may be observed that dangerous compressions will be avoided 

 and the shoe rendered more secure by having it conform to the 

 ground tread of the foot, and by having the nails placed in the 

 quarters, three on each side (directly opposite) being sufficient. 

 In effect, the more easy the shoes set upon the feet the more 

 active the horse will be. So large, long, thick shoes make him 

 heavy, unwieldy, and hobbling. A long, wide shoe is preca- 

 rious, for the longer the lever the greater will be the drag upon 

 the clinches of the nails, and thus horses will be more apt to 

 trip and strike them off. The body of the shoe being unyield- 

 ing, the flexibility of the hoof yields to the shoe heel, and the 

 thicker the shoe is and the more it covers the sole, all the more 

 subject is that of the horse to meet it, thus weakening the fet- 

 locks and heels by compressing them as if in a constant vise, 

 because they have always the same inflexible point of support. 



