SHOES ARE MADE CONCAVE. 129 



well under the hoof, the nails must be driven very near, or 

 into the quick, which must result in serious lameness or in- 

 jury. Two points, therefore, must be kept in view by the 



(No. 11.) Bearing Surface Level. 



smith in punching the nail holes. First, making them so 

 far forward in the toe as to prevent needless restraint upon 

 the quarters. Second, so near the edge of the shoe as not 

 to endanger driving the nails too deep in the crust. The 

 nails should not be large, nor a greater number driven than 

 is barely necessary to retain the shoe. 



It must be remembered that, at best, the hoof is greatly 

 shattered by the nails ; that the horn is thickest at the toe, 

 and the nailing well back to the quarters not only exposes 

 to greater danger of pricking, but causes an injurious pres- 

 sure upon the heels. If the horse is not used much, and 

 the heels are rather square and upright, the quarters must be 

 kept free. Have the nail holes made well forward on both 

 sides, three on the inner and four on the outer side, or 

 nail well back on the outside quarter, but well forward in 



9 



