PREPARATION OF THE FOOT. 



45 



preparation, and tlie farrier inclines Ms rasj) too mucli 

 inwards, lie leaves the wall at the heel lower than tho 

 sole within it. On such a foot, a level shoe rests upon 

 the sole instead of upon the wall, and a bruised heel 

 soon follows. 



Fig. 30.— Uneven Surface, over-lowsred at Heel and Toe. 



Paring Avtay the Sole to produce a deep, con- 

 cave appearance has another evil effect in addition to 

 that before })ointed out. It removes the horn just within 

 the border of the wall, taking away the natural support, 

 and leaving as bearing surface for a shoe a narrow ridge 

 instead of a strong fiat surface. Fig. 31 shows this fault, 

 and it must be remembered that this ridge may be left 

 as thin as a knife edge. Such a ridge cannot sustain the 

 weight of the horse, and when it yields, the shoe also 

 yields, the clenches are raised and the shoe becomes loose. 



Excessive Rasping of Wall. — The best farriers — 

 those most proud of their work — have a great temptation 

 to use a rasp too freely to the outer surface of the wall. 

 The hoof gets rough, or it may be ridged, its appearance 

 is improved by being made smooth, and it is only human 

 to turn out work which is clean and neat. Owners and 

 grooms are rather inclined to forget the claims of the 

 liorse when judging shoeing, and the result is that some 



