SHOEING. 



711 



Rubber Shoe.) A common method practiced by many shoers is 

 to spring or bend the shoe off from the heels, with the belief that 

 it must relieve them. (See Fig. 558.) 

 This is objectionable, because it transfers 

 the bearing from the natural position of 

 the heels to parts least capable of receiv- 

 ing it, multiplied with such leverage upon 

 the wall where the shoe is bent off, as to 

 cause severe pain. It also soon breaks 

 down the quarters so as to work upon the 

 shoe, thereby becoming an additional 

 source of weakness and injury. 



SHOEING FOUNDERED HORSES. 



a stiff joint. 



If the mobility of the foot is destroyed, as the result of chronic 

 founder, or other cause of morbid inflammation, mobility must 



be aided by rounding the entire shoe or 

 toe. If the foot is entirely stiff, the 

 shoe must be so formed that it will 

 roll upon the ground, which can be 

 easily done by leaving the inner edge 

 of each side wide, and turning down 

 hi a half circle, as shown hi Fig. 557. 

 If the sole is broken down, or the 

 wall separated at the toe, the result of 

 acute inflammation or founder, weight will be thrown more upon 

 the heels. For such cases the shoe must be so fitted as to extend 

 well back under the heels, and if 

 the sole is very thin at the toe 

 bulging down it may be sup- 

 ported by letting a thin flange 

 of iron extend well back under 

 it, or fitting a steel plate across 

 the part so as to give an even 



FIG. 558. Shoe raised from 

 the heel. 



FIG. 559. French shoe for aiding 

 mobility. 



support all the way round, and the adjustment made easy by 

 packing with oakum, though in most cases the sole will not bear 

 pressure, and is simply to be protected by a wide shoe. The shoe- 

 ing of such feet must be in a great measure experimental ; con- 

 sequently the ingenuity of the owner or smith must be exercised 



