146 BAD FITTING OF SHOE. 



wide, so as to extend over the sole, but should be per- 

 fectly level. This will greatly protect the sole from in- 

 jury. If, on the contrary, the horse works on sandy, 

 gravelly roads, make the bar rather narrow, which will 

 expose the sole and heel to constant, but moderate pres- 

 sure upon the ground. Instead of a thick-heeled shoe, 

 or spring-heel as it is called, when it is desired to raise 

 the heels, corks should be used. A thick heel removes 

 all possible pressure from the sole and frog ; while heel- 

 corks raise the heel all it is necessary, and their breaking 

 into the ground serves to lessen the force of the concus- 

 sion, and allows of occasional moderate pressure upon the 



(No. 15.) A shoe fitted as it should be; comes out under the toe flush with the 

 hoof, but represents being drawn under the heel a trifle too much. 



frog and sole. All horses that are sore and stiffened 

 should have the toe rounded. Two small corks may be 

 placed on each side of the toe, on the under edge, and the 

 heel raised pretty well by making the heel-corks high. In 

 all cases of the horse being occasionally lame a little, at 

 other times better, there is undoubted soreness of the 

 heel or of the coffin-joint. The heel should be raised with 

 a high-heeled shoe, and the toe rounded. If a colt, it is 

 desired to drive and work a little. A thin, flat shoe, or a 

 simple clip nailed around the toe, would be just the thing. 

 No strictly arbitrary rule can be given, because you must 

 adapt to the requirements of the case. Let the nail-holes 



