MODERN FARRIER. 113 



be taken, that they be made of a thickness so as not 

 to bend, for bending would tear out the nails and 

 ruin the hoof. That part of the shoe which is next 

 the horse's heel must be narrower than any where 

 else, that stones may be thereby prevented from 

 getting under it, and sticking there, which other- 

 wise would be the case, because the iron, when it 

 advances inwardly beyond the bearing of the foot, 

 makes a cavity, v/herein stones, being lodged, would 

 remain, and by pressing against the foot, lame the 

 horse. The part of the shoe which the horse walks 

 upon should be quite flat, and the inside of it like- 

 wise ; and only just room enough should be left 

 next the foot to put in a picker, (which ought to be 

 used every time the horse comes into the stable, and 

 often on marches) and also to prevent the shoe's 

 pressing upon the sole. Three, or at most four nails 

 of a side, hold better than a greater number, and 

 keep the hoof in a far better state. He advises that 

 the toe of the horse be cut square and short, and 

 that no nails be placed in that part. By these 

 means narrow heels are prevented, and many good 

 effects produced. His lordship advises the hinder 

 feet to be shod in the same manner as the fore-feet, 

 except in hilly and slippery countries, where the 

 shoes on the hinder feet may be a little turned up 

 behind. 



The utmost severity {says lord Pembroke) ought 

 to be inflicted on all those who clap shoes on hot. 

 This unpardonable laziness of farriers in making feet 

 fit shoes, instead of making shoes fitting feet, dries 

 up the hoofs and utterly destroys them. Frequent 

 removals of shoes are detrimental, and tear the foot, 

 but sometimes they are very necessary. 



The shoe recommended by Mr. Clark did not 

 differ ver^^ much from that of Osmer. He does not, 

 however, recommend the hollowing of the surface 

 of the shoe next the foot. Mr. Clark recommended 

 that the hoof and frog should not be pared or cut 



