140 HORSE-SHOES, ETC. 



of allowing more nails to be driven, but only to permit of 

 selecting a better position. Contraction of the hoof need not 

 be feared if the horse has plenty of movement. 



(5) Clips are small, flattened, upward projections from the outer 

 border of tlie shoe. They are ' drawn ' from the edge on the anvil. 

 The base of every clip must be strong and sound. Above, the clip 

 becomes thinner, so that it may be moulded to the form of the 

 wall by a few taps of the hammer. To prevent injury of 

 soft parts, the free border of the clip should be bevelled off. 

 Clips on hind shoes should be stronger tlian those on fore. In 

 light shoes the clips need only be as high as the shoe is thick, 

 but in shoes for heavy van horses they may advantageously be 

 made liigher. 



According to their position we distinguisli toe, quarter, and 

 heel clips. In eitlier case the object is to strengthen the hold 

 of the shoe, or, rather, to prevent the shoe shifting in position. 

 Wliere the horse wears unequally, a tendency always exists for 

 the shoe to be displaced towards the side which comes last in 

 contact with the ground. The clips should, therefore, be placed 

 on the opposite side. Only a toe clip is necessary when the 

 tread is level. In the greater number of cases the shoe is dis- 

 placed inwards, for which reason the outer rim of the shoe is 

 often provided with a quarter clip. Heel clips may sometimes 

 be required when a horse overreaches and cuts, or when the feet 

 are excessively broken. 



In forming the heels of a flat shoe, it is advisable to cut off 

 each heel with the half-round cutter in such a way that the 

 posterior margin runs downwards and forwards, and the outer 

 angle of the heel is moderately rounded off. 



3. FoRaiNG THE Shoe. 



With slight modifications the method of forging hereafter 

 described is applicable to both light and heavy shoes, and has 

 the advantage of producing a clean, workmanlike, and elegant 

 shoe. The method of forging seen in France, where the shoe 

 is formed under three hammers and with only one heat, is also 

 practised in Austria and South and West Germany, but although 

 we admire the dexterity displayed, we cannot regard the system 

 itself as worthy of imitation, the results being very imperfect. 



