Plain Rules for Shoeing. 261 



ground, and prove exceedingly strong, resisting wear 

 most effectually. It is designed to bear the greater part 

 of the weight, and forms the most fitting to receive the 

 shoe. This is the only part which needs to be cut away, 

 and mostly at the toe, on the ground surface only, where 

 the greatest activity in growth is manifest. The wall 

 should not be rasped above the clinches on any account. 



The horny sole ^xA frog are capable of exfoliating, or 

 detaching their superfluous parts in flakes or scales. 

 None but loose portions should be removed, as the parts 

 are capable^f all needful reduction. 



In applying the shoe there is no objection to its being 

 red hot when the feet are perfectly strong and sound. 

 The hot shoe makes for itself a more accurate bed than 

 can be accomplished in any other way, and its adherence 

 to the foot is more secure. In good sound hoofs the sole 

 will bear a portion of the pressure, and the full-grown frog 

 also proves a marvellous " buffer " to break the force of 

 violent concussion on the road. It should always there- 

 fore be allowed to grow so as to touch the ground. 



All who prefer to beautify the hoof by cutting, rasping, 

 &c., will denounce these directions. We only reply, that 

 our experience is that such a method is the entire safeguard 

 against lameness from all causes , even pricking and bind- 

 ing by nails in shoeing is reduced to a minimum. 



The nails should be evenly drawn. Thick nails act as 

 wedges, splitting the hoof, besides having other adverse 

 tendencies. In "pointing" the nails make a long lead, 

 and the holes in the shoe should be " coarse," that is, not 

 too near the outer edge. In these lie greater safety ; as 

 snub-pointed nails and fine-seamed shoes are prolific 

 sources of danger. The former nail is driven straight 

 down, taking good hold of sound hoof, always going away 

 from the sensitive parts \ while the reverse holds good 

 with snub nails and fine seams. 



Shoes should always be level on the foot surface. It fol- 

 lows also that they should be even on the ground surface. 

 If the reader would test the effect of unevenness in his 

 boot let him stand upon a single pebble, or driv^e in a 

 nail on one side of the sole or heel. The joints above 



