306 



LEATHER AND RUBBER SOLES, ETC. 



The more irregular, therefore, the form of the hoof the more 

 difficult does fitting become. 



Whether the horse will go well or badly depends upon the 

 fit of the pad. The sole will not bear strong and continued 

 pressure, and, therefore, while the back of the pad may project 

 slightly below the shoe, the toe should always be above its 

 ground surface, and even then should yield a little under the 

 pressure of the finger. To secure this, the pad when first 

 applied must be fitted to the concavity of the sole by rasping 



Fig. 303.— Hoof surface of shoe with Hartmann's pad inserted. 



or paring. The hoof is prepared as usual, except that the 

 point of the frog must not be left too high. After fastening 

 the shoe with a couple of nails the pad is inserted, and if 

 found to fit the nailing on is completed as usual. 



Twenty different sizes are made, ten in rounded and ten in 

 long forms. For hind-feet ten different sizes are also manu- 

 factured, so that there should seldom be much difficulty in 

 fitting the foot. The pad should always be long enough to 

 cover the limbs of the frog. 



The time it will wear varies according to the horse's work. 

 It may serve for as many as four shoeings. As soon as the 

 horse is brought home the pads should be removed and washed. 



