CHAPTER IX. 



THE SHOEING SMITH'S DUTIES. 



During the season of the year when the stud groom's 

 time will chiefly be occupied with foaling, " trying/' 

 and covering operations, there will be many other little 

 details that require his attention. The yearlings must be 

 watched, and as the grass improves in quantity and quality, 

 their corn ration may be proportionately reduced. Their 

 feet also should have close attention. " No foot, no horse " 

 may be a trite saying, but in no case is it more applicable 

 than when young thoroughbreds are in question. The 

 strength of the chain is that of its weakest link, and aristo- 

 cratic lineage and grand bodily make and shape are all dis- 

 counted by a set of malformed feet. It behoves the stud 

 groom, therefore, to keep a watchful eye on the feet of his 

 charges. 



The thoroughbred foal and yearling usually spend most 

 of their time roaming about on soft springy turf ; conse- 

 quently the horn of which the hoof is constructed is secreted 

 much faster than it can be worn away, and if no steps are 

 taken to redress the balance between growth and wear, 

 trouble will ensue. The smith should go his rounds without 

 fail once a month as a matter of routine, and as often on 

 intermediate days as necessity may require. The rasp alone 

 should be used, the employment of the drawing knife being 

 absolutely forbidden. It may be thought that this latter 

 prohibition is a superfluity where an experienced shoeing 

 smith is concerned, but I have had experience not once but 



