152 



ESSAY ON THE 



joined by mortices. In the bars of one end, at the distance of ten 

 inches from each other, are two perpendicular stanchions, the one 

 fixed, the other moveable, and fastened by a key D, which are let 

 into the bars and form a head stall. The lower bars of the sides are 

 eighteen inches from the ground. Immediately under the upper bar 

 on the right side is a windlass E E, separated in the centre, working 

 in the posts, and a block K let fall from the bar — with one end pass- 

 ing over, and moving upon the opposite beam, is a broad leather strap 

 six feet long, attached by an iron ring at the other end to the staples 

 in the windlass. To give sufficient stability, the posts may either be 

 let into the ground, or framed into sills, with end braces. 



The ox to be shod is led into the frame, and his head confined in 

 the head stall. The strap is brought under the lower part of the belly 

 and fastened to the windlass, by turning which his hind feet are 

 raised six or eight inches from the ground. The foot is then lashed 

 by a cord to the upper surface of the lower bar. In this situation 

 the shoes are easily set. By moving the strap till it comes near the 

 fore-legs the other part of the body is raised, and the shoes set on the 

 fore-feet in like manner. 



The shoe is the arc of a circle, of the thickness of a common horse- 

 shoe, from half to three-quarters of an inch wide, flattened to double 

 that width at the hind part. The flat or hind part covers the frog, the 

 tenderest part of the foot. The heel and toe are either corked or raised 

 to make a level with the heads of the nails. Five or six nails are 

 sufficient to secure it. Particular care must be taken by the smith in 

 shoeing that the toes of the shoes do not extend quite to the extremity 

 of the hoof, in which they impinge on each other, and by the motion 

 of the feet are easily thrust off. These directions are given by Benja- 

 min Coleman, Esq. of Virginia, and are illustrated by the following 

 sketch ; 



