114 HORSESHOEING. 



elasticity of the hoof and injure it. They are injurious also 

 to the joints, because they furnish a base of support which is 

 essentially smaller than that afforded by a flat shoe (Fig. 116). 

 However, they are indispensable for heavy draft purposes 

 on slippery roads and in winter. Upon all other roads and in 

 summer they are superfluous, at least upon front hoofs, es- 

 pecially as they do not wholly prevent slipping. 



Special Properties. — The many different fomis of hoofs re- 

 quire a great vai-iety of shoes. Following are the special 

 peculiarities of each of the chief classes of shoes. 



1. Shoe for a Regular Hoof. — Outer edge : moderately base- 

 narrow (bevelled under) all around. Distribution and direction 

 of the nail-holes : regular. Length : longer than the hoof by the 

 thickness of the shoe (see Figs. 121 and 122). 



2. Shoe for an Acute-Angled Hoof. — Outer edge: strongly 

 base-narrow around the toe, but gi*adually becoming perpendicu- 

 lar towards the ends of the branches. Punching: regular, ex- 

 cept tbat the nail-holes at the toe must incline inward some- 

 what more than usual. Length: rather longer than the pre- 

 ceding shoe (see Fig. 123). 



3. Shoe for an Upnght (stumpy) Hoof. — Outer edge: per- 

 pendicular at the toe; but if the hoof is very steep, then base- 

 wide at the toe, — i.e., bevelled downward and outward. Punch- 

 ing: last nail should be placed just beyond the middle of the 

 shoe. Direction of the holes : perpendicular. Length : short ; at 

 most, one^ighth of an inch longer than the hoof. In the ease 

 of a "bear-foot" (see Fig. TO) the shoe should be long. 



4. Shoe for a Base-Wide Hoof. — Outer edge; the outer 

 branch should be moderately base-narrow, — i.e., bevelled down- 

 ward and inward, the inner branch perpendicular. Punching: 

 upon the outer branch the holes should extend well back, while 

 upon the inner branch they are to be crowded forward towards 

 the toe (see Fig. 117). Length will depend upon the obliquity 

 of the hoof as seen in profile (see 1, 2, and 3). 



5. Shoe for a Base-Narrow Hoof. — Outer edge: the outer 

 branch either perpendicular or base-wide, the inner branch 



