HORSE-SHOEING. 155 



removing the necessary amount of horn from the margin of the hoof 

 at the toe or heels ; by reducing the former without interfering with 

 the latter, the obliquity of the foot is diminished (as in Figs. 9, c, d, 

 10, a) ; while rasping down the heels and leaving the toe untouched in- 

 creases it (Fig. 9, a, b) . 



In the great majority -of cases, the heels, for the reason stated, 

 require but little interference ; the excess of growth is nearly always 

 at the toe, and thus no absolute rule can be laid down as to the angle 

 to which the hoof should be brought. The practiced eye can discern 

 at once whether the angle is in conformity with the natural bearing 



Fig. 10. 



of the limb, and will have no difficulty in adjusting it, should it not be 

 so, provided there is sufficient horn to spare for this purpose. 



We have previously shown that the inclination of the front of the 

 hoof varies from 50° to 60°, and probably the mean between these two 

 angles will be that usually observed. (Fig. 9, g, e, /, is a hoof with 

 about 52° of obliquity; g, a t 5, 45°; g, c, d, more than 60°.) 



On ordinary occasions, causing the horse to stand on a level floor, 

 and viewing the hoof in profile a few paces off, is sufficient to inform 

 one of the angle; but to insure attention to this matter and prevent 

 mistakes, I have contrived a little instrument for my farriers, which 

 at once shows them the degree of obliquity, and gives them an in- 



