76 PRATTS POINTERS ON THE HORSE 



shod from the earliest period, but many changes have 

 taken place in the shape and size of the shoe. Every 

 year the shoe becomes lighter and more adapted to the 

 foot. The shoe must fit the foot and not 

 the foot the shoe. Horses feet differ in 

 formation. The Shire horse is flat and 

 low-heeled, while the Arab is high- 

 heeled and contracted. An imshod foot hoof made to 

 of a good young horse should be taken ^^^^ ^"^ ^^°^' 

 as a type. We will try to give some important rules in 

 a brief manner. 



Every part of a horses foot has its use, and sustains 

 a certain amount of weight, which must be remembered 

 when shoeing. 



The shoe should be so con- 

 structed that it follows the grad- 

 ual curvature of the wall of the 

 foot, giving the frog plenty of 

 _ ^ room to perform its function. 



COr^T'S FOOT— TlTE. ^ 



It should fit precisely and un- 

 der no consideration should the foot be pared or rasped 

 down to fit the shoe. 



If the shoe fits too closely at the frog, it prevents 

 the action of the frog and causes contraction. The 

 horse should be shod once a month. If this is done 



