276 



THE PKACTICE OF SHOEING. 



Each nail as it emerges from the hoof causes the outer 

 sheath of the wall to bulge slightly, and, therefore, in order to 

 form the clench the point of the nail is removed close to the 

 horn, there being little fear of its proving too short. As far 

 as possible twisting or other movements which might loosen 

 the nail should be avoided. 



After nipping off the points the horn below the exposed part 

 of the nail is lightly rasped to form a groove, the end of the 

 nail being either left of full strength or only slightly thinned. 

 The clenches are then turned down with a few lioht blows of 

 the hammer. It is suliicient if the ' turn down ' of the clench 

 is the same depth as the nail is broad, or in other words, if the 

 part of the clench showing is square. 



Finally, any horn projecting beyond the edge of the shoe is 

 rasped away, and the edge of the hoof slightly rounded off by 

 inserting the edge of the rasp between the lower margin of the 



Fig. 273. 



hoof and the upper part of the shoe, though if the fitting be 

 properly performed this should only be needful at the inside of 

 the toe. Under no circumstances should that part of a sound 

 hoof above the clenches be rasped. The hoof is now put down, 

 the old nail holes can be filled with wax if desired, or, as is 

 usual, brushed over with some ' dressing,' and the horse walked 

 and trotted to see how he goes. 



In hoofs injured by the use of too many nails, or weak in 

 horn, the nail holes must, of course, be appropriately distributed 

 in the shoe, so as to take advantage of the soundest parts. 

 With this precaution, and by employing high clips, even the 

 worst of feet can generally be shod. In special cases ' bar ' 



