THE horse's foot, AND HOW TO SHOE IT. 279 



horse, and is, therefore, never too strong at the best. 

 In this connection, Mr. Fleming says, — 



" The shoe ought to be attached by nails to those parts 

 of the wall where the horn is strongest and toughest. 

 In the fore-foot these parts are in front, and along the 

 sides to the quarters: there the horn becomes narrow 

 and thin ; and the nails find less support, and are nearer 

 to the living textures. This is more particularly the case 

 toward the heels, especially the inner one. In the hind- 

 foot the wall is generally strong toward the quarters 

 and heel. These facts at once give us an indication as 

 to the best position for the nail-holes. In the fore-foot, 

 nails can be driven through the wall, around the toe, as 

 far as the inside quarter, and a little nearer the heel on 

 the outside. In the hind-foot they may be driven 

 around the toe, and even up to the heels, with im- 

 punity." 



This should be borne in mind, that, where few nails are 

 used, they must be put wider apart. Some smiths drive 

 their nails in clusters ; and the result is, that a small sec- 

 tion of the foot has to bear the entire strain. This the 

 owner of every horse should guard against. My im- 

 pression is, that the shoe should bear more heavily on 

 the toe and heel, and less heavily on the quarters. I 

 know the custom is to have the shoe set tight on the 

 entire foot until you come to the heels ; and then it is 

 *' eased," or left so that the heel does not set closely 

 upon it. Now, my idea is that the quarter is the 

 weakest point in the wall of the hoof; and hence the 



