CHAPTER XII 



SHOES AND SHOEING — PREPARATION OF THE FOOT 



The shoeing of horses is an important branch of industrial 

 labour, though, unfortunately for the horse, and also 

 the farrier, the business of the latter has been on the 

 decline since motor traction made its appearance, conse- 

 quently we find that many hitherto prosperous shoeing 

 forges have fewer hands working in them, v/hilst a certain 

 percentage have had to close down altogether. Amongst 

 all classes of craftsmen, perhaps none have received from 

 the public more instruction as to how horses should and 

 should not be shod than the farrier. Both stable and 

 farm boys have been knovv'n to issue their instructions as to 

 how a horse ought or ought not to be shod, and the patience 

 of the shoeing-smith must often be sorely tried by 

 their ignorance and stupidity. The author holds no brief 

 for the farrier, as there are quite a number of these who 

 could never hope to becom.e experts in their work ; still, 

 after a life-long apprenticeship, plus the average degree of 

 intelligence, it is surely reasonable to assume that a man 

 must have learnt the general principles of his business, 

 and be in a much better position to fulfil the requirements 

 of his craft than a wholly inexperienced person. There 

 are horse-shoers and horse-shoers, and the pubHc are 

 generally able to make their own choice, even if the forge 

 is not always the most convenient one. Shoes may be 

 fitted either hot or cold, but there is no comparison. A hot 

 fitting is by far the best. In the one case you fit your 

 shoe to the foot, whereas in the other it may be necessary 

 to make the foot fit the shoe. All horses require to be 



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