204 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



.imb ; and generally with four holes only instead of five, the 

 number usually given to tlie outer limb. The inside quarter 

 of the horse's hoof is very often bent and curved inwards 

 about its middle height ; whereas the outer is quite straight, 

 or frequently somewhat bulging exteriorly at this part, and 

 requiring less care in driving the nails, and distinguishing 

 easily the feet, whether oif or near. 



In forming the nail-holes, attention must be paid to the 

 direction or sloping of the hoof, as those nearest the toe or 

 front of the shoe should be made strongly sloping backwards, 

 agreeably to the figure of the hoof at this part, whilst those 

 on the sides or quarters of the hoof should be more upright, 

 otherwise it must be obvious the nail cannot be inserted in 

 the hoof without bending in the hole to accommodate this 

 difference of direction. 



In the next place, the " pritchel bumps " and '' burs " in 

 the iron about the holes are to be knocked down ; these 

 arise from the distension of the metal by the entrance of the 

 pritchel, and are seen upon the outside of the rim of the 

 shoe, and also on its upper surface. This is done upon the 

 anvil-bick by chasing the shoe round with the hammer. 

 The burs, also, should be forced down, as they endanger 

 coming in contact with the sole, or " vein " as the smiths 

 call it, which is running round it. Lameness may result 

 from this cause, when, on the removal of these roughnesses, 

 the horses have gone well again. 



Form of the Shoe. — The surfaces, also, of the web of the 

 shoe will admit of great variety of form, which do not at 

 all constitute a change of principle, as has been vulgarly 

 apprehended. It is the mode only of figuring the ring that 

 is changed, the principle remaining the same. On the 

 whole, those made concave next the foot or opposite the 

 sole, and flat below, to the ground, are with good reason 

 preferred by the soundest and most experienced writers on 

 this subject. However, a shoe such as is commonly made, 

 with the web and whole upper surface with a gentle inclina- 

 tion inwards, is as good and useful a shoe as any, and has 

 this great recommendation belonging to it, that it is the 

 most readily made. The former, or seated shoe, can be made 

 rather lighter perhaps ; but its flat level upper surface, 

 where it receives the hoof, is not so good, we believe, as a 

 very gentle inclination or slope of this part, as by its flatness 

 it is more liable to split the hoof, and to carry oppressive 



