682 



SHOEING. 



The method before given, which necessity compelled me to 

 devise and adopt, makes this simple and easy to do; and except 

 the shoe is so thin as not to admit of punching or drilling, it will 

 be found by far the simplest and best method of forming the clips. 

 When properly adjusted, nail on carefully. The nails around the 

 toe may be larger than those driven in the quarters; and while 

 driven so as to give a good hold, and rather high, if the feet are 



at all sore and tender, great care 

 should be taken that the ham- 

 mering is not too heavy, nor the 

 nails driven deep. The clenches 

 should simply be turned down 

 lightly. If the hoof extends out 

 over the shoe at any point, it 

 should be no reason for more 

 rasping than merely to round off 

 the edges of the horn. Let it 

 alone. It is frequently the case 

 that one quarter is more con- 

 tracted than the other; in fact, 

 it is not unusual to have one 

 side of the heel very much drawn 

 in, while the other may be very 

 little, if any, contracted; so that 

 two conditions must be met, namely: first, to open either heel as 

 little or much as may be desired, independent of the other. This 

 the spreaders (which have been devised and patented by the 

 writer) will enable doing in the most perfect manner.* 



However necessary it may be to have this part of the work 

 well done, it is, in reality, but a preparatory step for what fol- 

 lows. First, if a tongs or screw be used to spread the shoe, the 

 pressure being made equal on both sides, the side which is weakest 

 must do all the bending opening that quarter too much without 

 affecting the other at all. Another cause of difficulty, is not having 



* Simple as these spreaders are, the writer has found it very difficult to have them 

 made properly. On this account he has found it necessary to have them made ac- 

 cording to an exact pattern, and they will be furnished at a moderate price to 

 those desiring them. 



FIG. 511. The shoe as nailed on 

 to be spread. 



