268 THE PERFECT HORSE. 



also, to widen the narrow heels. In all thin, weak- 

 footed horses, the rasp should be laid on the toe in such 

 a manner as to render it as thick as may be ; by which 

 means the whole foot becomes gradually thicker, 

 higher, and stronger. In all feet whose texture is very 

 strong, the rasp may be laid obliquely on the fore-part 

 of the foot, towards the toe, and the toe itself thinned, 

 whereby the compression on the parts is rendered 

 somewhat less by diminishing the strength of the hoof, 

 or crust. 



'' But this rasp is to be used with discretion, lest, the 

 crust being too thin, and not able to support the 

 weight of the horse, a sand-crack ensue ; which fre- 

 quently happens from too free or unskilful use of this 

 tool, and from the natural rigid texture of the coronet. 

 The heel of the shoe on all strong and narrow-heeled 

 horses should be made straight at the extreme points ; 

 the form of the shoe in some measure helping to dis- 

 tend the heel of the horse. For the same reason, the 

 shoe on no horse should be continued farther than the 

 point of the heel. It has been already said, that neither 

 frog nor sole should ever be pared : nevertheless, it 

 must be understood that it is impossible to pare the 

 crust without taking away some of the adjacent sole ; 

 and it is also requisite — in order to obtain a smooth and 

 even surface — so far as the breadth of the shoe reaches, 

 and no farther. The frog, also, will become ragged ; and 

 loose pieces will occasionally separate from the body 

 thereof, perhaps in one foot, and not in the other. 



