5IO HORSE-SHOES AND HORSE-SHOEING. 



J 



what is called cramps or cankers, by which means the 

 weight of the horse is confined to a very narrow surface — 

 the inner round edge of the shoe-rim, and the points or 

 caukers of each heel ; the consequence is, that it throws 

 the weight of the body forward upon the toes, and is apt 

 to make the horse slip and stumble.' The shoes in use 

 appear to have been possessed of every bad quality, and 

 must have inflicted fearful torture upon the unlucky ani- 

 mals compelled to wear them, particularly after the out- 

 rageous manner in which their hoofs were pared. ' Far- 

 riers, in general, are too desirous to excel one another in 

 making what is termed fine neat work ; and that is no 

 other than paring the sole till it yields easily under the 

 pressure of the thumb ; and to give the frog a fine shape, 

 it is frequently pared till the blood appears, to prevent the 

 effusion of which the actual cautery is sometimes applied. 

 It is to be observed, that, when the sole is so much pared, 

 it dries and hardens in proportion as it is thinned ; and 

 the strong horny substance of the crust, overcoming the 

 resistance from the sole, is thereby contracted. This will 

 produce lameness, the real cause of which is overlooked 

 or little attended to. Among the many disadvantages 

 that attend the common shoes, one is, their being more 

 liable to be pulled off, from their great weight, length, &c., 

 especially in deep ground, in riding fast, or when the toe 

 of the hinder foot strikes against the heel of the fore-shoe. 

 To prevent this inconvenience, sixteen or eighteen nails 

 are frequently made use of, which destroy and weaken the 

 crust by their being placed too near one another ; and it 

 is not uncommon, when a shoe nailed in this manner is 

 pulled off, that the crust on the outside of the nails breaks 



