!270 THE PRACTICE OF SHOEING. 



smaller surface has to carry a greater load), with the inevitable 

 consequence of greatly aggravating any existing evil. The 

 guiding principle must be to give the greatest width where the 

 greatest weight falls, the shoe being regarded as the base of 

 support and, therefore, requiring to be a little broader below 

 that portion of the hoof which carries the greater weight. 



(c) The Fitting of Shoes for Rapid Work. — In addition to 

 following the directions laid down in the section ' Choice of the 

 Shoe,' it is necessary, in shoeing hacks, coach and race horses, 

 which work at a trot or gallop, to tit the shoe everywhere as 

 closely as possible. It should, therefore, represent a prolonga- 

 tion of the horny wall. The inner limb requires particular 

 attention, and must lie close, with its upright surface inclined 

 slightly inwards. To prevent the shoe cutting, beiug torn off, 

 or catching in ol^stacles, it should not exceed in length what is 

 absolutely indispensable. 



(d) Fitting Shoes for Heavy Draibght Horses. — Heavy draught 

 horses require a broad bearing surface ; consequently, the re- 

 strictions as to width and length of the shoe are less imperative 

 in them than in other animals. One sometimes sees hoofs which, 

 without being diseased, have yet sufi'ered severely in previous 

 shoeings. The heels of the shoe should then be fashioned 

 wider than the hoof, for if onlv the bare width is allowed the 

 level tread will be destroyed, especially when toe-pieces and 

 heels are employed. Heavy draught not only shortens the 

 stride but tends to cause turning in of the toes, in consequence 

 of which the outer limb of the shoe is generally exposed to 

 heavy wear and the hoof becomes deformed. To diminish this, 

 to favour regular wear of the shoe, and to give better support, 

 it becomes necessary to fit the shoe fuller than usual on one 

 side, especially when the toe is turned inwards, or it may even 

 be necessary to form the web somewhat broader (fig. 266). 

 The extent is determined by the degree to which the wall has 

 become inclined, but on the outer side it is always safe to 

 increase the width of the shoe until its outer edge comes 

 vertically below the coronary margin. If, for example, the 

 coronet is wider at the outer heel (that is, greater in circum- 

 ference) than the bearing margin, the outer edge of the shoe 

 from the last nail hole backwards may be kept so wide that a 

 perpendicular line let fall from the coronary margin will meet 



