316 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



done by paring the foot improperly is of two kinds. If too 

 much horn be pared from the sole, it will be incapable of de- 

 fending the sensible or fleshy sole ; and if the bars or frog are 

 improperly pared, we remove parts which are designed to prevent 

 a contraction of the heels. 



Making a groove (fullering) round the edges of shoes, if the 

 iron is not very good, may cause a partial yielding there ; but, 

 if the iron is good, a groove is very useful to protect the heads 

 of the nails. Farriers should always examine a foot before they 

 shoe it, make the shoe, and pierce the holes for the nails further 

 from or nearer to, the edges of the foot accordingly as they find 

 the foot requires ; the holes for the nails should always be 

 pierced slanting rather outwards. The best way to forge shoes, 

 in respect to the nails, is to make the holes for the nails at 

 twice, with two different instruments. First, on the outside of 

 the shoe, punch a place, not quite through the shoe, big enough 

 to receive and cover the head of the nail when driven in ; next 

 punch a smaller hole from the centre of the above mentioned 

 larger one, for the blade of the nail, quite through the shoe. 



This method of punching the nail-holes, with the remarks on 

 the groove or fullering round the shoe, do not differ materially 

 from that now adopted at the Veterinary Colfege, or from Mr. 

 Goodwin's remarks upon it, who says, " The object of this 

 groove or fullering is to receive the nail-heads, but in general 

 it is too superficial for this purpose ; when a countersink head is 

 used, the groove is made deeper; but the inner edge of the 

 groove is perpendicular, and the outer edge slopes towards the 

 exterior rim to give the edge of the nail a slanting direction in- 

 ward. It is considered that the smith, who can keep this groove 

 nearest to the edge of the shoe is the best workman, and it is 

 denominated fine fullering. If this groove is cut deep into the 

 shoe, it is evident it must weaken it; and if the iron is not 

 good, it will crack in the outer edge of the fuller; and, if it is 

 superficial, it affords no security to the head of the nail ; yet, if 

 made with accuracy, and deep enough to afford security to the 

 head of the nail, it is a tedious process, and takes up much time. 

 The fuller, or groove, has been recently altered at the Veterinary 

 College ; it is now carried further into the shoe, and is similar 

 to the German method of making the groove, which gives an 

 advantage in taking more hold, by driving the nail through a 

 portion of the sole on the inside of the crust, similar to the 

 French method of nailing. 



" If the quality of the iron is not good, it will be put to the test 

 by the application of the punch ; it will either burst on the outer 

 part of the hole, or cracks or flaws will be seen ; neither of which 

 will appear if the iron is good." {Goodumi^s JVeiv System of 

 Shoeing Horses.) I cannot leave Mr. Goodwin without noticing 



