101 



NAIL HOLES AND NAILING. 



In punching the nail-holes due regard must be had to the 

 substance of the wall and its obliquity, as a corresponding ob- 

 lique direction must be given to the nail-holes. Without this 

 precaution the whole work will be nullified, unless clips are 

 used. 



When the shoe is properly fitted, it should be finished in 

 the vice, sharp edges and burrs being removed with rasp or file. 

 An important point (every point is important in this operation), 

 is to weaken the shoe at the point it is desirable for it to yield, 

 when the dilator is applied. By the position of the weak part 

 of the shoe it can be made to yield in any outward direction 

 desirable. If it is desired to expand both sides, the nick in the 

 form of a V should be made as near the centre of the toe as 

 possible, on its inner edge. If one side only is to be expanded, 

 the nick must be made away from the centre to the side it is 

 proposed to expand. Whether with clips or back-nails, the 

 shoe should be nailed on rather lightly than otherwise. 



1 Close up ' and ' draw on ' very lightly, remembering that the 

 foot has to be immersed in a poultice, and that this will tighten 

 the nails to some extent, and further that the animal is under- 

 going a surgical operation and is not intended for work until 

 these shoes have been removed and nailing suited to the work 

 or exercise the animal is required to perform, is adapted. 



The dilator may now be applied, its arms being inserted 

 within the heels of the shoe, and two or three gradual turns of 

 the screw taken. At every turn of the screw the foot should 

 be surveyed to see that the nails or the clips are acting fairly. 

 The instant the horse evinces the least uneasiness, the ex- 

 pansion should be stayed, the foot placed in a poultice, and 

 another turn or two of the dilator 'given the next day or the 

 day following. This is continued until good full-sized heels 

 are obtained and the animal is free from lameness. The poul- 

 tices should be kept on night and day, and except during the 

 time allotted for exercise, which should be given from the first 

 or second day, beginning with half an hour's exercise a day, 



