120 HORSESHOEING. 



Shaping and Fitting Shoes. Special Considerations. 



{a) A shoe for a hoof of the regular form fits properly when 

 the outer border of the shoe in the region of the nail-holes closely 

 follows the outer edge of the wall, but from the last nail-hole to 

 the end of each branch extends beyond the wall from a sixteenth 

 to an eighth of an inch, the shoe is straight, lies firmly and air- 

 tight upon the bearing-surface of the hoof, the nail-holes fall 

 exactly upon the white line, and there is sufficient space between 

 the frog and the branches of the shoe for the passage of a foot- 

 pick. The branches must be of equal length. 



While in fitting a shoe to a hoof of regidar form we need 

 pay attention only to the form of the hoof, it is very different 

 when we come to shape and fit shoes to hoofs of irregular forms. 

 In these cases we must consider not only the form of the hoof, 

 hut the position of the Umhs and the distrihution of weight itv 

 the hoof, because where the most weight falls the surface of 

 support of the foot must be widened, and where least weight 

 falls (on the opposite side) the surface of support must be 

 narrowed. In tliis manner tlie improper distribution of weight 

 within the hoof (an unbalanced foot) is regulated, — that is, is 

 evenly distributed over the surface of support. The manner 

 in which this is accomplished in the various forms of hoofs is 

 as follows : 



(h) An acute-angled hoof requires the shoe described in 

 paragraph 2, page 114. The branches must be long, because 

 more of the weight falls in the posterior half of the foot, and 

 long branches extend the surface of support backward, while 

 the 'surface of support in front is to be diminished by making 

 the toe of the shoe base-narrow, either by turning it up or by 

 bevelling it in under the foot. A shoe for an acute-angled hoof 

 fits when it is otherwise related to the hoof as is described in 

 paragraph a, above. 



(c) An upright or stumpy hoof presents exactly reverse 

 conditions with respect to the distribution of weight within 



