26 



in general use, which not only makes the groove too .small 

 for the heads of the nails, but often sjilits tlie shoe. 



Tlie danger apprehended from the shoe being applied to 

 the foot so hot, as to burn the crust, and cause it to 

 smoke, is utterly groundless. I would not have it made 

 to burn itself into its place upon the foot without the 

 assistance of rasp, or drawing knife, but I would liave it 

 tried to the foot sufficiently hot to scorch every part, that 

 bears rmevenly uj^on it, because the advantage of detecting 

 such projecting portions is veiy great ; and this mode of 

 accomphshing it is positively harmless ; indeed it is the only 

 one by which the even bearing, necessary to a perfect fitting 

 of the shoe, can be insured. 



No shoe should ever be nailed to the foot, until it has 

 been ascertained, that the pressure of the hands is sufficient 

 to keep it steadily in its place, and j^reclude any appearance 

 of dayUglit between it and the foot, for, if the shoe does 

 not accurately correspond to the surface of the foot, but is 

 disposed to shift abiiut upon it, the nails will be exposed to 

 a constant strain, in order to keep it in its place ; whereas 

 they should merely have to hold it to the foot, and not, as 

 it were, to keep it there by force. 



The shoes should not be permitted to remain on the 

 horse's feet more than two or three weeks without removal, 

 for in that time the heads of the nails will have become 

 worn, and, from fitting the holes less perfectly, than before, 

 will admit of a trifling motion of the shoe upon the nails, 

 whereby the holes iii the hoof will be enka-ged, and the 

 security of the shoe endangered. Another reason for removing 



