182 SHOEING. 



hoof be high-heeled and upright, or low-heeled and flat, large or 

 small, broad or narrow, the identical form of ground-surface is 

 maintained in each, so long as it is left entirely to nature^s 

 guidance. The outer quarter, back to the heel, is curved con- 

 siderably and abruptly outward, while the inner quarter is 

 carried back in a gradual and easy curve. The advantage of 

 this form is so obvious, that it is strange that any interference 

 should ever be attempted with it. The enlarged outer quarter 

 extends the base, and increases the hold of the foot upon the 

 ground; while the straighter inner quarter lessens the risk of 

 striking the foot against the opposite leg. 



The inclination of the front of the horny crust of the foot 

 should be at an angle of about forty-five degrees. If the foot 

 is much steeper than this, it is very liable to contract ; while, 

 if it is much more slanting, it constitutes what is called 

 the " oyster shell" foot, in which there is an undue flatness of 

 the sole, and a tendency to pumiced feet. 



Before removing the old shoes, care should be taken to 

 raise all the clinches of the nails to prevent injury to the 

 crust, and to avoid giving pain to the horse ; even after 

 clinches are raised, if the shoes cannot be easily drawn off, 

 those nails which seem to hold most firmly should be punched, 

 or drawn out, that the shoe may be removed without injury to 

 the hoof, and without weakening the nail-hold for the new 

 shoeing. 



The shoe being removed, the edge of the crust should be 

 well rasped to remove so much of the horn as would have Deeu 

 worn away by the contact with the ground, had it been un- 

 shod. In no case should the rasp be used on the surface of 

 the hoof, except to make the necessary depressions for the 



