SHOEING THE HIND FEET. 99 



sole required ; then cut it accordingly. The artificial sole will 

 not require to be the size of the shoe ; if it extends to the inner 

 border of the bearing surface of the shoe, (see letters aa Eig. 

 12, page 92,) it will be sufficient. Having determined the size 

 of the sole, nail the shoe to the foot, and do to it what is 

 necessary, then place the gutta percha in hot water, and there 

 allow it to remain until it becomes soft ; then lift it gently out, 

 and while an assistant firmly holds the foot, place the softened 

 substance in position upon the sole, and with the fingers and 

 the aid of a thin flat piece of lance wood, (cut at one end to 

 the shape of a wedge,) press the gutta percha under the dished 

 part of the shoe, and also closely to the sole and frog upon 

 every part of the foot. The operation then is complete. 



If the above operation be neatly and expeditiously performed, 

 the artificial sole will scarcely be observed when the animal is in 

 motion. Should it be desirable to remove the sole, it can be 

 again readily softened with hot water, and taken away without 

 disturbing the shoes. A gutta percha sole not only protects 

 the foot to which it may be applied, but by preventing evapora- 

 tion from the ground surface of the organ (which it does) it 

 precludes the horn from becoming too hard and brittle. 



Shoeing the Hind Peet. — From the fore feet, we proceed 

 to the consideration of those matters which pertain to the 

 shoeing of the hind feet. These may be comprised under the 

 three following heads : — 



I. — Eaising the heels of the shoes, 



II. — The prevention of cutting. 



III. — The prevention of forging or clicking, or what in 

 Yorkshire is designated "hammering and pincering." 



