40 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 



frog-, which is the natural cushion of the foot, taking" off the 

 the concussion caused by the striking of the foot on the 

 ground. In the natural state the frog is shed every three 

 months and should not be cut at all. If cut the pores will 

 open and the natural moisture is permitted to dry out and 

 the frog becomes hard. Cutting the frog- will injure the 

 growth of the foot materially. I never touch the frog 

 except to cut off the ragged edges as they are being shed. 

 The nearer the frog can come to the ground the better. 



When large calks are used and the foot raised from the 

 ground all the bearing on the frog is removed, causing the 

 foot to draw up, the heels to draw in, and in a short time 

 you have a bad case of contraction on hand. 



In taveling about I have a wagon that with its contents 

 w^eighs not less than 4,800 lbs., and this is pulled over hills 

 and the roughest country roads without any calks on the 

 front feet of my horses. The front feet of a horse act very 

 much as the forward trucks of a locomotive. They carry 

 about two-thirds of a horse's weight. The hind feet and 

 legs are the propelling power which tlirows the animal 

 forward when in motion. 



If calks are desired they should be put on the hind feet. 

 I never put on a hind shoe without a little heel calk. It 

 helps take the strain off the tendons. If a flat" shoe is used 

 in front it can be made shorter when calked. If flat let the 

 shoe extend back as far as the crust of the hoof. When 

 the shoe is flat it permits the frog- to come to the g-round 

 and all the cords and tendons of the leg are receiving their 

 proper support. If Ave put on calks and take the frog* 

 away from the ground it will be necessary to make the shoe 



