150 



CHAPTER XIII. 

 Shoeing. 



FORM OF THE NATURAL HOOF PREPARATION OF THE FOOT THE 

 SHOE NAIL-HOLES PUTTING ON THE SHOE NECESSITY OF 

 FROG-PRESSURE PREVENTION OF KNUCKLING OVER AND TRIP- 

 PING PREVENTION OF SPEEDY CUTTING AND BRUSHING PLATES 

 CUTTING DOWN. 



Form of the Natural Hoof. The natural shape of 

 the healthy foot of the horse is as follows : 



1st. The frog is large, and comes well down on the 

 ground, so as to act as a buffer in diminishing the effects 

 of concussion, and also to prevent the animal from 

 slipping. 



2nd. The sole is thick and well protected from injury. 



SrcZ. On hard, level ground, the bearing surface of 

 the foot is composed of the frog, wall of the hoof, and a 

 considerable portion of the sole within the wall. 



4th. The slope of the fore-foot, viewed in profile, 

 will, as a rule, be about 50, while that of the hind 

 feet will be about 55. This difference in obliquity is 

 due to the fact that the hind feet are chiefly used in 

 propelling the animal, while the fore-feet are princi- 

 pally employed in supporting the weight of his body, 

 hence the wear of the former, at the toes, is greater 

 than that of the latter. 



Owing to the manner of attachment of the back ten- 

 dons and suspensory ligaments (see Veterinary Notes for 



