CHAPTER IX. 



Injuries from Shoeing. 



Even with the most careful farrier injury may occur 

 during shoeing, or may arise as the result of the opera- 

 tion. Sometimes the foot, from its condition or form, 

 renders an accident possible, and it may be so diseased, 

 or defective, as to render shoeing with safety very 

 improbable. Sometimes the shoe is to blame, and some- 

 times the nail or clip. A few words about each of the 

 common injuries may be useful as helps to their avoid- 

 ance or as guides to their remedying. 



From Nails two kinds of injury may result. The 

 most common arises from the nail being driven too near 

 the sensitive j^arts, and is known as a hind. The nail does 

 not really penetrate the sensitive foot, but is so near as 

 to press unduly uj^on it. This condition causes lameness, 

 which is generally not noticed till a day or two after the 

 shoeing. It is readily detected by the farrier on remov- 

 ing tlie shoe and trying all the tracks of the nails in the 

 hoof by pressure with pincers. When the lameness is 

 slight, removal of the nail and one or two days' rest are 

 all that is required. When the lameness is great, it may 

 be suspected that the injury has caused the formation of 

 matter within the hoof. This must, of course, be allowed 

 to escape, and the services of a veterinary surgeon are 

 advisable. 



Any neglect in these cases, such as working the 

 horse after lameness has appeared, or delay in removing 

 the offending nail, may lead to very serious changes in 

 the foot, or even to death of the horse. 



Another injury caused by nails is from a direct 

 puncture of the sensitive foot. This may be slight, as in 

 cases where the farrier in driving the nail misdirects it 

 and so stabs the sensitive parts, but immediately with- 

 draws the nail, knowing what has happened. The lame- 

 ness resulting from this is' usually slight. Very much 



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