200 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



prove the seeds of future lameness or exfoliation, to say 

 nothings of the animal beino^ rendered timid and difficult to 

 shoe. 



The general principle of healthy shoeing is to support 

 the foot off the ground by means of the " wall," and by 

 this only ; so that the frog shall not come in contact with 

 the hard, plain road, whilst it may be allowed to receive 

 pressure upon going over soft ground. The first prevents 

 injuries and resists wear and tear, the latter promotes the 

 secretion of healthy horn, by a proper degree of pressure — 

 that is to prevent this being received by the heel, frog, and 

 bars. Whatever is here said, the fore foot is still kept in 

 view, unless the hinder foot is particularly mentioned ; and 

 occasion will present itself for the distinction, as there 

 is great difference in the wall and other external shape 

 between the two, especially as regards heavy draught 

 cattle. The shoe removed, the crust is to be rasped down 

 at the edges ; and although a little roughness may be 

 exercised in this, yet there is little danger of injury to the 

 hoof, only that too much must not be removed, so as to 

 render it too thin. 



The hoof requires considerable labour to pare, and this is 

 of great importance to the comfort of the animal, as well as 

 his safety on the road. It is a part of the operation of 

 shoeing which is too often done in a hurried and slovenly 

 manner. We would advise the owner of the animal, when 

 he employs a new or strange farrier, to see that paring is 

 thoroughly performed ; because, if the sole is not well 

 pared, its elasticity will be destroyed, and the internal 

 portion be prevented from descending. This will impair 

 the functions of the foot, and induce many of the maladies 

 to which it is liable — navicular disease, contraction, corns, 

 inflammation, and the diseases of which we have already 

 treated. Nothing is of more consequence than to prevent 

 an accumulation of the horny substance of the sole, which, 

 it is easy to see, must increase, because, being protected by 

 the shoe, it cannot get worn down as it would in a natural 

 condition. Sufficient thickness should be left so as to 

 protect the internal parts of the foot from injury, and 

 enough taken away to allow the external sole to descend. 

 This can easily be determined by the pressure of the 

 thumb on the sole, which should yield slightly in all its 

 breadth. 



