174 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



shoeing of a colt for the first time' is an important matter. It 

 is assumed that the legs and feet have been handled according 

 to the directions already given ; therefore, when it is decided 

 that the colt is to be shod, the day and hour should be fixed 

 when he is to be sent to the forge, as he very often becomes 

 tired and restless if he has to await his turn there. 



If the animal is very fresh and spirited, it may be advisable 

 to have him exercised or longed before he is sent, or if he is 

 nervous and excitable it may even be necessary to make him 

 very tired. 



Upon the manner in which he is shod for the first and 

 second times, will often greatly depend his quietness during 

 this operation in the future. The noises, sights, and smells of 

 the shoeing forge are novel and startling, and timid, restless 

 colts are very often much disturbed on their appearance there 

 for the first shoeing. If it can be done, it is a good plan to 

 allow the colt to pay one or two visits to the forge before the 

 operation is required. Sometimes, indeed, the farrier has either 

 to visit the colt or the latter to visit him, in order to have the 

 hoofs shortened or straightened ; and this is a good preliminary 

 training. 



During shoeing the colt should not be tied up, but his usual 

 attendant ought to hold him by the head, talk to and stroke 

 him, and allay his fears ; the farrier meantime going about his 

 performance quietly, gently, and without unnecessary pulling 

 or force. The fore-feet should be shod first, as they generally 

 demand shoeing most, and are generally more easily done ; the 

 hind feet require more time, and are usually most troublesome 

 for the farrier. Therefore, if the colt is very combative, which 

 he may be through fear, obstinacy, or being tired of the opera- 

 tion, it may be better to leave the hind ones for another day's 

 rehearsal. 



If the colt is to be trained for riding, he has to become 

 accustomed to the saddle. This article should be shown him, 



