206 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



SHOEING FOR ICE AND SLIPPERY ROADS. 



Provided the frog comes largely in contact with the ground, 

 there is not usually much danger of slipping ; but as it is not 

 always possible to secure this, recourse is had to artificial 

 means. Among these are calkins, which, as has been already 

 mentioned, are objectionable in all but slow-paced horses ; and 

 indiarubber pads of various forms to fit between the shoe and 

 the hoof, and come in contact with the ground, aiding, as well, 

 in diminishing concussion. 



For ice-covered roads there are numerous contrivances. In 

 ordinary " roughing," the shoes are taken off and a sharp 

 <;alkin is turned up ; but this requires a forge, much time, is 

 injurious to the horse's feet, does not last long, and is expen- 

 .sive. "Frost-nails" are sometimes employed, but these also 

 require a farrier, last a very short time, and likewise damage 

 ■the hoofs. Screw studs or pegs are more convenient, screw 

 holes being made in the shoes when they are first put on, into 

 which sharp or blunt pegs are screwed as occasion may require. 

 But these sometimes break at the neck, or fall out, require to 

 be screwed in, and the thread is liable to become rusty, while 

 they are somewhat expensive. Another much simpler and 

 •cheaper method is the introduction of a sharp square peg into 

 .a square hole punched in each branch of the shoe, and, if 

 necessary, at the toe — this stud and the hole having a slight 

 taper, which permits the former to be inserted and removed : 

 it should not project beyond the foot surface of the shoe. Or, 

 the studs and holes may be round and tapering in the same 

 imanner. Blunt studs may be used when there is not ice, or on 

 wooden pavements, or asphalte. When required to be used, 

 'these studs are merely inserted into the holes and require a 

 •smart blow ; when it is desired to remove them, a few taps on 

 •each side, and a blow on the face of the shoe, will generally 

 imake them jump out. 



