338 



ON SHOEING. 



It presents a perfectly flat surface to the ground, in order to give as many points of 

 bearing as possible, except that, on the outer edge, there is a groove or fuller, in which 

 the nail-holes are punched, so that, sinking into the fuller, their heads project but a 

 little way, and are soon worn down level with the shoe. The ground surface of the 

 common shoe used in the country is somewhat convex, and the inner rim of the shoe 

 comes first on the ground : the consequence of this is, that the weight, instead of 

 being borne fairly on the crust, is supported by the nails and clenches, which muat 

 be injurious to the foot, and often chip and break it. 



The web of this shoe is of the same thickness throughout, from the toe to the heel ; 

 and it is sufficiently wide to guard the sole from bruises, and, as much so as the frog 

 will permit, to cover the seat of corn. 



On the foot side it is seated. The outer part of it is accurately flat, and of the width 

 of the crust, and designed to support the crust, for by it the whole weight of the hoise 

 is sustained. 



Towards the heel this flattened part is w-ider and occupies the whole breadth of the 

 web, in order to support the heel of the crust and its reflected part — the bar; thus, 

 while it defends the horn included within this angle from injury, it gives that equal 

 pressure from the bar and the crust, which is the best preventive against corns, and 

 a powerful obstacle to contraction. 



It is fastened to the foot by nine nails — five on the outside, and four on the inner 

 side of the shoe; those on the outside extending a little farther down towards the 

 heel, because the outside heel is thicker and stronger, and there is more nail-hold; 

 the last nail on the inner quarter being farther from the heel on account of the weak- 

 ness of that quarter. For feet not too large, and where moderate work only is re- 

 quired from the horse, four nails on the outside, and three on the inside, will be suffi- 

 cient; and the last nail being far from the heels, will allow more expansion there. 



The inside part of the web is bevelled off, or rendered concave, that it may not 

 press upon tlie sole. Notwithstanding our iron fetter, the sole does, although to a 

 very inconsiderable extent, descend when tlie foot of tlie horse is put on the ground 

 It is unable to bear constant or even occasional pressure, and if it came in contact 

 with the shoe, the sensible sole between it and the coffin-hone Avould be bruised, and 

 lameness would ensue. Many of our horses, from too early and undue work, have 

 the natural concave sole flattened, and the disposition to descend and the degree of 

 descent are thereby increased. The concave shoe prevents, even in this case, the pos- 

 sibility of much injury, because the sole can never descend in the degree in which 



