86 HOUSE AND MAN. 



CHAPTEE VI. 



Horseshoeing on ' improved principles ' — Hot-fitting — ' Clips ' and their 

 origin — Groove cutting in the hoof — Natural thatch of the coronet — 

 Natural varnish of the hoof — Abuse of the rasp — Blacking hoofs — 

 Effect of grease on the hoof — ' Stopping' hoofs — The 'bottle of oils' 

 — Its effect on the hoof — Drugs in stables — Horses poisoned — Thirty 

 thus lost by one owner — Anti-drug Association — The rashness of 

 ignorance. 



On account of the extreme importance of the frog, 

 it has been necessary to give a considerable amount 

 of space to it. We will now revert to the ' improved 

 principles ' of horseshoeing. 



After having seen the havoc which has already been 

 made in the hoof by the farrier, it might reasonably 

 be doubted whether more mischief could possibly be 

 done, and whether the hoof could be further injured. 

 Human ingenuity, however, proved itself equal even 

 to this task, and ' hot shoeing ' and ' clipping ' were 

 invented, both, as usual, for the benefit of the 

 horse. 



4 Hot-fitting ' or shoeing is thus accomplished. 



1 In fitting the shoe, the coaptation between it 

 and the hoof should be as close as possible. This 



