234 HOW TO SHOE A HORSE. 



seating. In what is technicall}^ called " back-holing- tlie 

 slioe," which means completing the opening of the nail- 

 holes on the foot surface, great care should be taken to 

 give them an outward direction, so as to allow the points 

 of the nails to be brought out low down in the crust. The 

 remainder of the foot surface should be carefully seated 

 out, particularly around the elevated toe, where it might 

 otherwise press inconveniently upon the sole ; and I would 

 have the seating carried on fairly to the point where the 

 crust and the bars meet, in order that there may be no 

 pressure in the seat of corns : the chance of pressure in 

 this situation will be further diminished by bevelling off 

 the inner edge of the heels with a rasp. 



The ground surface should be perfectly flat, with a ful- 

 lering or groove running round the outer edge, just under 

 the plain surface, whereon the crust bears. The principal 

 use of the fuller is to receive the heads of the nails that 

 secure the shoe, and prevent their bending or breaking 

 off : — it is further useful in increasing the hold of the shoe 

 upon the ground, and with this view I always have it car- 

 ried back to the heels. 



In fitting the shoe to the foot, it should never, while red 

 hot, be burned into its place, as this would so heat the sen- 

 sitive sole as to produce a serious derangement of its parts^ 

 but it may with safety be touched lightly to the foot, that 

 by a slight burning it may indicate those points where the 

 foot needs paring ; indeed, it is necessary to pursue this 

 course in order to make the shoe so exactly fit the foot 

 that there will be no danger of its moving sufficiently to 

 loosen the hold of the nails. It is desirable to have the 

 shoe made with steel in front, this being sloped backw^ard 

 to a line running at right angles with the upper slope of 

 the hoof. Old shoes are always worn to about this form, 

 and new ones should be so made. The steel will prevent 

 their being unduly worn. 



