PRECJUTIONS REQUIRED. 587 



' 6. A solid and equable bearing for the shoe having 

 been obtained, with a small drawing-knife gently remove 

 the superficial layer of horn that has been in contact with 

 the hot shoe, making in this way a little canal {cannelure) 

 at the angle of the groove around the sole, but without 

 touching the latter. The intention of this is to leave a 

 space which will allow a little play at the corresponding 

 angle of the shoe. 



' 7. Take the shoe and shorten the branches if they 

 are too long, for they should not pass beyond the heels of 

 the foot ; round them in a sloping manner from side to 

 side, and with a half-round file take away the inner angle 

 of the upper face of the shoe, so as to form a slight bevel 

 which, corresponding as it does to the canal at the bottom 

 of the groove in the hoof, prevents the sensitive parts 

 being compressed when the weight is thrown upon the 

 foot. 



' 8. Attach the shoe with nails in the ordinary manner. 

 The nails should be small and of the ordinary English 

 shape, but the heads a little flatter and longer ; they ought 

 to be strong at the neck and thin in the shank.' 



' On good feet these diflferent manoeuvres, which have 

 taken so long to describe, are easy of execution ; and it is 

 only necessary that the intelligent farrier should bring to 

 his task a litde willing attention in order to practise them. 

 ' In delicate feet with low heels, thin soles, and narrow 

 walls, such as we so commonly have to deal with when 

 paring and rasping has been allowed for some time, the 

 farrier must take the greatest precautions not to injure the 

 quick. He will not be able to imbed his shoes so deeply 

 as can be otherwise done. In a strong foot this incrusta- 



