206 



THE PRACTICE OF SHOEING. 



sole can be tried with the knife at a spot close to the apex of 

 the frog. Dull colour and small cracks of the horn, together 



with deep lateral grooves at the 

 sides of the frog, indicate a thick 

 sole. Loosening and shedding 

 of the horn of the sole are due 

 to two causes, the first being 

 growth of the sole. As the sole 

 becomes thicker it is exposed to 

 strain, because it is unable to 

 follow the growing, and hence 

 expanding, circumference of the 

 wall. Secondly, shedding of horn 

 is favoured by alternating mois- 

 ture and dryness, by the elas- 

 ticity of the sole, and by its 

 movement during; the animal's 



Fig. 196.-Front foot, a, prepared for the paCCS. TheSC factorS acting to- 

 shoe ; 6, before preparation. in- ci 



gether favour shelhng or the 

 sole, and in flat hoofs operate so effectively that a strong sole is 

 rare. In upright feet, however, the sole is usually strong and 

 its margins, at least, perfectly capable of supporting weight. 



The bars should be spared and their connection with the 

 wall under no circumstances weakened, much less cut through. 



Fig. 197.— a, riglit fore-foot of normal limb ; b, of turned-in limb, both showing incon-ect 

 paring. The correct form is indicated by dotted lines. 



It is best to leave them level with the wall or a very little 

 lower, though the extreme posterior parts of the sole should be 

 lowered at least ^^ inch. The point where the wall is incurved 

 to form the bars requires particular attention. In sound un- 

 shod hoofs the bars run in an almost straight direction, from 



