640 



HORSE-SHOES AND HORSE-SHOEING. 



something like the following shape, when prepared for the 

 shoe (fig. 205). A shoe is then fitted to the foot ; in all 



probability it is too small ; it 

 has a wide, flat ground-surface, 

 the foot-surface has a narrow 

 plane border on which the crust 

 rests, and the remainder is bevel- 

 led to avoid contact with the ab- 

 normally thin sole. When this 

 metallic plate is fastened on the 

 hoof, and the horse once more 

 rests on the limb, the foot has no 

 ^^- ^°^ longer its natural bearing. The 



whole weight of the horse, as well as any other weight 

 lie may have to sustain on his back, is borne by the crust 

 of the foot alone. The frog is elevated above the ground, 

 and the sole dare not come near it. In fact, the shoe has 

 a very wide surface or web to protect the sole of the poor 

 mutilated foot from the injury likely to be inflicted by 

 stones on the roads : injury that, before shoeing, could 

 have been resisted far better by nature's protection. 



The shoe, as we have seen, was too small ; or rather, 

 the farrier imagined the plantar surface which supported 

 the weight and strain so admirably in a natural condition 

 to be too large. So when the metal plate has been 

 securely attached, a large portion of the hoof hangs over 

 it — the best and strongest portion ; and this has to be 

 removed with the rasp or toe-knife. The nails have been 

 driven to a certain height in the wall, and as their ex- 

 tremities must be riveted or clenched, these clenches 

 must not be disturbed. The overhanging crust between 



