DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 107 



The forward groove is placed directly over the points or wings 

 of the coffin-bone, where the pressure of the contracted wall 

 is most severe on the metacarpal nerve ; back of this we 

 cut two others parallel. These grooves should be cut from 

 one-eighth to one-fourth of an inch in depth and the same width, 

 according to the strength of the wall and the extent of the 

 contractions. We use a narrow gouge with which to cut the grooves, 

 and cut them before the shoe is set, by placing the bottom of the foot 

 on a block some twenty inches in height, and use a light mallet to 

 drive the gouge. 



The operation of grooving, three on the outer and two on the inner 

 side of the foot, does not require more than five or ten minutes, and 

 may be done by any person of ordinary judgment, as it only requires- 

 a little care not to cut the groove so deep as to disturb the sensitive 

 portion of the foot, which will be indicated by blood showing in the 

 bottom of the groove, a slight show of which need not alarm the 

 operator, though it is preferable to take sufficient time and care in 

 performing the operation, to do it in the best possible manner, as 



Shoe for Spreading the Heal. 

 it doubles the value of the horse the instant the operation is com- 

 pleted and our shoe for spreading the heel is properly set. The- 

 above cut is a drawing of this shoe, with five nail-holes in front 

 and none in the heels. 



