m 



SHOEING. 



the foot. The shoe should be carefully fitted to the hoof all 

 round, particularly at the heels, which ai'e too often left without 

 any support whatever; and the mischievous custom of turning 

 down the outer heel only must be avoided, because it throws 

 the weight entirely upon the inner quarter, which is the part 

 least able to bear it, and causes much uncomfortable strain 

 to the fetlock joint above. Calkins, even though they are 

 turned down of perfectly even length on each side, (which, how- 

 ever, is rarely done,) are objectionable appendages, and had 

 better be dispensed with, except, perhaps, for very heavy draft, 

 where their ends by entering the ground may prevent the foot 

 from slipping backwards, and may thus enable the toe to obtain 

 a firmer hold. 



The form of shoe here referred to, and the position of the 

 nail-holes are shown in the cut annexed. 



Before leaving this subject it 

 should be remarked, that con- 

 tracted feet — that is, feet that 

 have shrunken and become nar- 

 row at the heels, and of which the 

 i frog has become materially re- 

 duced in size, — are often, and 

 doubtless most frequently, caused 

 by infiammatipn arising from im- 

 proper shoeing. It is the custom 

 of many smiths to " set the shoes 

 rHB PKOPBK POKM OF A sHOK. Well off at the hcels;" and to 



a. » The heels of aa eveu thickness with the rest of the shoe, b. i). Show the points 

 a« vhicli the heels of the hoof teraiinated. e. c. The seating carried back, so as to 

 clear the asgles at the heels, and leave the seat of corns free from pressure, d. Tho 

 naif-holes placed iu the fiat surface which supports the cru'^t, where they should 

 always be. e. The hindermost nail of the iuner side at the inaer toe, whereby thd 

 whole of the quarter aad heel are left free to expaad. 



