Shoeing and the Feet 277 



If you must use a full shoe, be sure that you 

 employ a narrow one, flat on the foot, and convex on 

 the ground surface, thin at the heels, and be certain 

 that it is fitted to the foot, not the hoof to it. Never 

 allow a knife or a buttress to touch the horn ; the sur- 

 plus will flake away as it grows too old and drop off ; 

 simply shorten the toe, and level with the foot rasp ; 

 never allow rasping outside, nor excessive " draw- 

 ing " of the nails in clinching ; turn clinches well 

 down and hammer flat, just smoothing them (not 

 the horn) with the rasp. A narrow shoe guarantees 

 a good foothold, and a great big frog, that takes the 

 pressure, and meets the concussion as nature meant, 

 prevents slipping in ordinary travel. Remember the 

 walls are meant to take the pressure, not the sole. 

 If the ground surface of the shoe be convex it will 

 further imitate the shape of the foot ; and its flat sur- 

 face, next the horn, should be rasped as smooth as 

 possible. The toe should always be bevelled to imi- 

 tate the shape which wear has caused the old one 

 to assume; this is very important. Six nails are 

 enough, and no shoe needs more; five will often 



