SHOEING. 



113 



Behind this indentation or fullered cavity the iron gradually slopes away^ 

 so that the substance which is exposed to wear, and on which the hors<> 

 must travel, consists of the narrow strip that extends round the outward 

 edge of the shoe. 



A SHOE, WITH THE NAILS CODNTERBUNK. 



(Ground surface.) 



A FULLERED SHOE. 



(Ground surface.) 



The author's proposed shoe contemplates iron of an equal thickness at 

 every point which is usually exposed to wear. The nails are driven into 



DIAGRAMS, SHOWING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FTTLLEEING AND COUNTERSINKING, FOR RECEIVING THE 

 NAIL HEAD OF A BORSE'S SHOE. 



Fullering, or a free indentation round the shoe. 

 This space is indicated by the dark portion 

 of the diagram, and within which the heads 

 of the nails repose. 



Countersinking, or only removing so much 

 metal as may be filled up by the heads of 

 the nails which are to retain the shoe 

 upon the horse's foot. 



holes made to fit close around the heads of those fastenings, so that the 

 shoe being fixed, no loss of substance is to be detected ; for the nail heads 

 fill the spaces which were countersunk for their admission. 



The nails pierce the toe of the proposed new shoe. This part is 

 selected, because this portion of hoof is covered with the thicker horn ; 

 therefore is indicated as the region where all stress should bear. The 

 author is aware that, among smiths, there is a strong objection to driv- 

 ing nails in the center of the wall. Yet it seems to the writer that a 

 more violent outrage is inflicted by actually removing a portion of its 

 substance, so as to make an abiding place for a clip, than by piercing 

 obUquely the strongest part of the hoof, subsequent to the toe having 

 grown below the true foot. 



The thickness of wall there offers several advantages, when consider- 

 ing the retention of nails. The soUdity of the secretion is a proof that 

 this portion of the hoof is not endowed with motion. Consequently, 

 when fastening a piece of iron to it, we are not fearful of interfering 



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