DIRECTIONS TO FARRIERS. 57 



ever, did recognise this fact, and invented shoes in 

 two pieces, so that expansion was not hindered. 



So, thinking that the thick and rigid sole was an 

 obstacle to expansion instead of being one of the 

 means by which expansion is accomplished, and also 

 assuming that the expansion was in all directions, and 

 much greater than is really the case, they believed 

 that by thinning the interior of the hoof they would 

 increase its power of expansion. So they issued the 

 following directions to the farrier when he prepares a 

 horse for the shoe : — 



' Pare the sole until it yields to the pressure of 

 the thumb. 



' Cut the walls down until they are but little 

 higher than the contiguous sole, taking care to 

 shorten the toe if necessary, it being frequently left 

 too long. 



1 Cut away the bars, so as to make a gradual 

 slope from the wall to the bottom of the commis- 

 sures, which must be deepened. 



1 Lower and open the heels, taking the bearing off 

 them for at least an inch on each side of the frog, so 

 that the walls at these parts will not be in immediate 

 contact with the shoe when first put on. 



'Pay special attention to the removal of the 

 " pegs " (the hard horny substance which grows 

 down at each side of the frog, and contiguous to it). 



