140 Training the Trotter, Coacher and Roadster 



that he be shod very early in Hfe, in which case a very 

 light, plain shoe should be used. It is important to 

 keep the shoes as light as possible, for every additional 

 ounce has a detrimental influence upon the horse. 

 The extra weight may occasionally be necessary, but 

 it is none the less an evil because a necessary one. 



In shoeing, the aim should be to keep the foot 

 elastic, yielding and natural. Fitting the shoe calls 

 for careful study, — the old shoe will often furnish 

 valuable information. In trimming the foot, be 

 careful with the knife, cutting only the horn and 

 wall. Leave the frog, the sole and the bars alone. 

 They will care for themselves. When the foot is 

 properly leveled and made as nearly natural as pos- 

 sible, then fit the shoe to the foot and not the foot 

 to the shoe. The shoe should be fitted cold. 

 The nails should not be placed too near the edge 

 of the hoof, nor too far back toward the quarters, 

 thus leaving the heel free. In smoothing the 

 clinched nails, do not rasp the outside of the 

 hoof, as it will remove the natural protective cov- 

 ering. The shoes should be reset at least once 

 each month, otherwise the hoofs will grow out so 

 as to destroy the natural form of the legs. 



The importance of weight on the horse's feet is 

 often overestimated. While it is true that extra 

 weight will often make him show more action for a 

 time, particularly if he is well driven and in fine 

 fettle, yet if he is called on to exert himself for 



