204 HORSE-SHOEING. 



tending beyond the white line separating the sole from the 

 wall (Fig. 19). 



Fig. 19. 



Into this groove is fitted the shoe. This is a narrow, but 

 somewhat deep band of iron (or, as now, a mixture of iron and 

 steel), narrower at the top than the bottom, and forged in such 

 a manner that its front surface follows the slope of the foot. It 

 is perforated by from four to six oval nail-holes of small size, 

 and if necessary may be provided with a clip at the toe. Its 

 upper inner edge is rounded by the file, to prevent it pressing 

 too much against the angle of the sole, and the ends of the 

 branches are narrow and beveled off toward the ground 

 (Fig. 20). 



The nails are very small, and have a conical head and neck 

 (Fig. 21). They must be of the best quality. 



It is best to fit the shoe in a hot state, as it must have a 

 level bed and follow exactly the outline of the wall. After 

 it has been fitted, it is advisable to remove, by a small draw- 

 ing-knife, a little of the horn from the angle of the groove in 

 the hoof, to correspond with the rounded inner edge of the 



