220 Simple 'Rules for Shoeing, and 



The shoeing of lame horses requires special 

 measures, and could not be treated any further 

 in a work of this kind without extending it 

 beyond ordinary limits. The instructions already 

 given will in greater part be found applicable. 

 By their observance much harm may be avoided, 

 and the usefulness of our valuable servants 

 greatly extended. Brittle feet, so called, may be 

 wonderfully restored in a short time, the fulling 

 off or losing of shoes greatly avoided ; and re- 

 member that the greater evil exists in doing too 

 much, rather than knowing what should not be 

 done. 



Horse-shoeing in coal-mines fully exemplifies 

 this statement. Here, where the smiths have 

 many horses and ponies to shoe after working 

 hours in the pit have ceased, the benefits of not 

 doing too much are to be observed. There is 

 seldom to be seen a bad foot. Except where the 

 roadways are saturated or overflowing with water 

 having mineral salts in solution, such may be 

 said scarcely to occur. Animals are also very 

 seldom lamed in shoeing. When they run upon 

 dry ground the feet grow thick and strong. At 

 each shoeing the smith merely cuts down the foot 

 to produce a level surface, " lets in the clip " to 

 the required distance at the toe backwards, nails 

 on the shoe, clenches and roughly rasps off over- 

 hanging portions. By these means the shoes 

 are seldom lost, and the best of feet are found. 



It is a pity the system cannot be exhumed in 



