80 " A MIGHTY MAN 16 HE." 



either damp or drought. Far less must the hoof be rasped awar 

 to make it fit the shoe. 



158. — Amongst smiths, as amongst other men, there is of 

 course a wonderful variety of character, though the village smith 

 is often, if not generally more than an average man. Seme of 

 them are remarkably cool, courageous, and patient ; others are 

 just as cowardly, bad tempered, aud brutal. The man who has 

 never tried to shoe a restive, awkward horse is hardly qualified to 

 sit ill judgment on a shoeing smith, as he cannot know what a 

 severe trial it is to a man's temper. The position is so cramped, 

 the work so hard and particular, and the danger of getting a 

 sharp nail drawn violently into his thigh so very manifest, that 

 it must be an angelic temper that will not sometimes get irritable 

 under such a combination of provocations. No man should be 

 asked to shoe a young horse in a hurry, nor at the same price 

 as an old one, nor without very competent assistance, and exevy 

 proper appliance to prevent danger. 



ir)9. — Here, as everywhere else, there must be no uncertain 

 fighting with your horse, no kicking or hammering, no shouting 

 or threatening. Show the horse that he can submit without 

 beino- hurt, but that submit he must. 



There are many ways to secure the horses hind legs, so that 

 he can be shod in safety to the smith, however unwilling he may 

 be to submit to the operation. One of the simplest and best is to 

 put on an old strong collar and hames. Then take a driving 

 rein or long strong strap, or failing these, a piece of good half 

 inch rope, about twelve feet long. Tie a secure loi>p at one end 

 (if tlie strap or rope and pass a strong hobble or hame strap 

 through it, and giving it two turns, buckle tlie strap round one of 

 the hind pasterns. Then bring the other end of the strap or 

 rope under the collar and hames, and taking one turn round them 

 di'aw the foot steadily uj) and hold it wherever re([uired, A 

 strong rope or strap, or breastplate, may be used instead of the 

 collar, if more easily at hand, but the rope will not work (juite 

 so well round them. The only use of the hames is to strengthen 

 the collar and prevent its being injured. A severe rope gag or 

 bridle (353) may be put on and used in the horse's month if he 

 will not give up his legs without much violence. 



