240 HOW TO SHOE A HORSE. 



flammation, arising from various causes, but most frequent- 

 ly, without doubt, from improper shoeing. It is the custom 

 of many smiths to " set the shoes well off at the heels," and 

 to carry the seating or bevel of the upper side of the shoes 

 so far back that the heels, instead of resting on a flat sur- 

 face, as they would on a properly fitted shoe, rest on the 

 slope of the seating, which are, in this respect, simply two 

 inclined planes, so placed that, at each step taken by the 

 horse, his heels must be pressed together until a greater 

 or less contraction is made manifest, too late for us to 

 remedy the evil ; for there is no means by which this con- 

 traction of the foot can be cured, — though, when it exists 

 only to a slight extent, the internal portions of the foot 

 will sometimes accommodate themselves to its new form. 

 So far as disease is the result of bad shoeing, it can be ob- 

 viated by so forming the shoe that it will afford a sufficient 

 and perfectly secure and level support for the heels. 



For the cause, and treatment of diseases of the feet, in- 

 cluding those which result from improper shoeing, the 

 reader is referred to the chapter on Farriery. 



