134 SCIKNTIKIC nORS?]SHOKING. 



nnd flexor tendons, in accordance with tlie instructions e^iven 

 for leveling and balancing the feet, as described in Chap. TV. 



The use of toe and heel calks will also produce soreness or 

 lameness in fast horses ])y their uncertain or unequal contact 

 with rougli, stony pavements, causing a side rockinii; or tilting 

 motion in tlie limb, racking the joints of the foot which are not 

 capable of much lateral motion. 



Another cause that is generally overlooked is the attachment 

 of shoes with an unequal number of nails on either side of its 

 branches. For example, if four nails are used on the outside 

 and only three on the inside branch of the shoe, the inner side, 

 with the least nnmhor of nails ])eing less permanently fixed, 

 yields to the outside more tirmly seated on the unyielding 

 shoe, and thus by growth and tension the inner side (with less 

 nails), is gradually forced in or under the leg, while the outer 

 Bide (with more nails), is correspondingly carried ontw^ard and 

 away from its normal center and thus the hoof becomes de- 

 formed and its movements deranged. Then, by a I'eversal of the 

 above arrangement, that is to drive four nails on the inner side 

 of the shoe and only three on the outer, the process will in two 

 or three shoeings, return the foot to its natural form and straight 

 position by the same means and in the same manner through 

 which it had lost them. This demonstrates the necessity of 

 shoeing according to the principles already defined — having the 

 nails alike on both sides and set opposite each other, as directed 

 with Fig. 27. 



Locating the Lameness. — Xo horseman or farrier need be 

 told the effects of splints, sidebones, curbs, spavins or ringbones, 

 or how they make themselves known by the condition of the 

 organs to which they extend. Hence I shall not now attempt 

 to define their symptoms, as they will be succinctly dealt with 

 hereafter, but confine the present inquiry to a search for more 

 obscure conditions which may attack the foot, w^hile having their 



