102 



SHOEING. 



that if *,he equine hoof is permitted to grow, the elongation of the horn 

 at the toe and its non-removal by the knife would occasion this portion 

 of the foot to protrude, and ultimately curl upward like a Turkish slip- 

 per — siieh being the result of long-continued neglect, as is exemplified 

 in the feet of too many donkeys. 



THE NEQUiCIED AND LONG UNSHOD HOOF OP AN ASS. 



ENGLISH MODE OF PARING THE HORSE'S 

 HOOF. 



It is not proposed to subject the horse's foot to anything like the 

 usage to which the hoof of the ass is habitually exposed. All the writer 

 contemplates is moderating the smith's employment of the drawing- 

 knife and of the rasp, enforcing some caution in the application of the 

 red-hot iron, when burning a seat for the shoe. Why need the wall be 

 always cut away till it is level with the horny sole ? Why bring this 

 last portion of the pedal covering, which is naturally soft and yielding, 

 on a line with that part of the crust which is imbued with a power of 

 resistance ? Nay, the harder wall is protected by the shoe on which it 

 rests; while the softer sole is brought near to the ground, being left 

 exposed to an injury, which the lesion known as bruise of the sole proves 

 not unfrequently to happen. 



The sole, being exposed thus close to the earth, is the fi-uitful source 

 of several "accidents." The soft horn of this region being brought so 

 low, is rendered constantly wet. The consequence is a harshness of 

 texture, perfectly opposed to the evident intent of nature. This harsh- 

 ness is one of the most common sources of corns. The edge of the sole 

 rests upon the web of the shoe — the descent of the coffin-bone, being 

 unable to play upon a yielding sole, squeezes the flesh between the in- 

 ferior surface of the bone and the upper surface of the shoe. This is 

 acknowledged as the principal source of corns. Stones and other rub- 

 bish often become impacted between the horny sole and the shoe. In 

 this situation, the foreign substances are retained so firmly and provoke 

 such acute lameness that it is common for all stable-men to keep by 

 them, as well as it is general for most horsemen to carry, a curved tool 



