38 SHOEING THE SADDLE-HORSE. 



If a horse that has always gone safely takes to 

 tripping, it is, unless due to weakness, because the 

 toes of the hoofs are too long or too short, for it 

 must be remembered that a horse that is thrown 

 upon its toes by being too high at the heels is 

 just as apt to trip as the horse that has the toes 

 too long. 



If a horse strikes a leg with the corresponding 

 hoof of the opposite side, it is because the hoofs 

 are not level in their bearings. 



If the horse strikes a fore-leg with one of the 

 hind hoofs, it has been badly ridden, and the animal 

 should be made to go in a collected manner between 

 hand and spurs, which will induce higher action in 

 front, and shorten the strides. 



If small calks are used on the heels of the hind 

 shoes, the toes of those shoes should be thickened 

 so that the feet will have a level bearing. 



The horse should be shod at least every three 

 weeks, and oftener if the shoes are much worn. If 

 the shoes are permitted to remain too long, the 

 hoofs cannot spread as they grow, and there is not 

 only danger of producing disease, but the most 

 sure-footed horse may fall from soreness in the 

 feet caused by pinching shoes. I have known a 

 horse, fourteen years old, that had never made a 

 mis-step of any consequence, to fall when walking 



