206 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



The nails for shoeing horses are received from the hands 

 of the manufacturer soft, without point, variously bent, and 

 unlit for use till they have passed through a process, requir- 

 ing some dexterity, called '* pointing the nail " ; they receive 

 for this purpose a smart hammering from the hand of the 

 " doorman," on an upright steel-headed shaft, termed " the 

 stake," beginning at the head of the nail and continuing it 

 along the shank on both sides and edges to its extremity, 

 which is then drawn out to a clear point. By this means 

 the nail is rendered hard and stiff, and its surface smooth 

 and polished. But of as much or more consequence than 

 this is the figure which the point of the nail is made to 

 receive ; for after it has been drawn to a clear, good point, 

 the workman gives it a final stroke, obliquely directed over 

 or upon the very extremity of tlie nail, so as to impart to 

 it the figure of an inclined plane on one side, leaving it per- 

 fectly flat on the other. This bevelling of the point of the 

 nail is of the greatest use in driving it, giving it always 

 a tendency to pass out of the hoof, from the bevel being 

 placed next the interior of the hoof, which facilitates the 

 process of shoeing very much, and greatly diminishes the 

 risk of pricking the horse ; for the foot, being softer within 

 than it is externally, would naturally draw the nail in that 

 direction. 



The nail mostly used at present has a long, conical, square 

 head, with a view of fixing it tight to the shoe ; and the 

 pritchel point is directed to be made of the same figure, 

 that it may be the more firmly fixed. 



This conical nail, when made too long in the head, or 

 neck, is apt to enter the hoof and distend it unduly, rending 

 or splitting the horn ; a short shoulder or neck is therefore 

 to be preferred. 



The first nail usually driven is one near the toe, on the 

 side of the foot next the right hand of the workman, as 

 more convenient to the hammer. This may draw the shoe 

 out of its place, which is again adjusted by a blow or two 

 of the hammer on the projecting side, bending the nail or 

 forcing the hoof, or both ; the second nail is then passed 

 through the hoof on the opposite side, which renders it in 

 a degree fixed ; the rest are then driven indiscriminately ; 

 smaller nails are, however, used near the heels or inflexions, 

 on account of the horn being thinner. The presentation or 

 planting the point of the nail first in the hoof, in order to 



