648 HORSE-SHOES AND HORSE-SHOEING. 



a foot is raised, it will be at once seen whether this is the 

 case — that is, if the sole has not been mutilated by the 

 drawing-knife in the previous shoeing. If it is in its 

 natural condition, this will be some distance from the shoe, 

 and the latter will have lost its proper seat on the foot. 

 This is because the crust grows indefinitely, while the 

 sole always maintains a regular thickness. 



Whether the shoes be worn out, or only require re- 

 moval when the crust has obtained an excess in length, 

 it is necessary that the farrier's assistance be called in. 

 Before the shoes are taken off, the direction of the limb 

 and foot should be studied, both while the horse is stand- 

 ing and when it is moving. This is seldom, if ever, done 

 by the farrier ; and yet it ought to be an important ob- 

 ject to maintain or regulate the direction of the leg and 

 hoof, which can be done by ascertaining whether in 

 front or in profile they are in line — whether the toe, the 

 side of the hoof, or heel, incline too much inwards or out- 

 wards — whether the heels of the hoof are too low or too 

 high — the toe too long or too short — and if there are any 

 traces of ' brushing ' or ' cutting ' on the inner sides of 

 the hoofs, fetlocks, or knees. Seeing the horse walk or 

 trot indicates the nature of his action — whether high 

 or low — or if the movement of the limbs is false or 

 irregular — and whether any fault which may exist can be 

 rectified by shoeing. 



These are very essential points to observe, as they all 

 come within the domain of the art ; and the intelligent 

 workman can do much to modify or rectify natural or 

 acquired defects, as well as preserve perfect form and 

 action, and in this way carry out our first rule. 



