SHOEING. 



679 



it were, by the severe compression of the wall, three conditions 

 are necessary: First, complete elasticity of quarters and sole; sec- 

 ond, power to open quarters so as .to relieve pressure, and allow 

 the sole to settle back to its natural position ; third, gradual frog 

 pressure so as to restore a healthy condition of circulation and 

 strength of parts. The first important step in the treatment is to 

 thoroughly soften the feet. The sim- 

 plest way of doing this in the stables 

 is by tying two or three thicknesses of 

 blanket around the feet and keeping 

 them wet for about twenty-four hours ; 

 or better, fill two small bags with bran, 

 put a foot into each, and tie a string 

 loosely around the top of the bag and 

 leg above the fetlock. Put each foot 

 into a bucket of water, and afterwards 

 pour on water to keep wet ; or the 

 horse can be made to stand in mud till 

 the feet are soft. 



There is usually a large accumula- 

 tion of horn, especially at the heel, all 

 of which must be removed, and the 

 wall leveled down to its proper dimen- 

 sions. Next, with the drawing-knife 

 pare out the sole ; not enough to make 

 it bend to pressure, but more than be- 

 yond the removal of the old horn. 

 Then with a small knife, which should 

 be made expressly for the purpose,* 

 weaken the wall between the bars and 

 frog, by scraping or cutting out the bottom of the channel, back 

 to the point of the heel so much that when pressure is brought 

 upon the heels outward, there will be no impediment to their open- 

 ing freely at their upper edge. To do this, commence well for- 

 ward near the point of the frog, and cut back, following the line 

 of the arch carefully. Particular care should be taken not to cut 



*Let the blade be made straight, with a cutting edge on both sides. Turn the 

 end about a quarter of an inch, temper and grind down to & keen edge. It should 

 not cut a channel much more than one-eighth to three-sixteenths of an inch wide. 



FIG. 508. The shoe as fitted 

 before being put on. 



