364 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



already shown in our description of the anatomy of 

 the foot, the bars are the only check in preventing 

 contraction. Nothing, therefore, should be removed 

 but the ragged and detached portions. 



It is intended that the heel of the shoe should rest 

 partly on the bar, and partly on the heel of the foot, 

 consequently the bar should be allowed to remain 

 nearly in its original condition, from its first inflection, 

 and extending down the side of the frog. It is only 

 when the frog becomes level with the crust that it 

 should be pared at all. We have already shown, 

 when treating of contraction, page 133, that when the 

 bars have been removed we have destroyed the props 

 which are the main preventions of that defect. 



The quantity to be pared from the frog depends 

 chiefly upon its prominence and the shape of the foot, 

 but here again as in the case of the healthy sole, 

 so also in that of the healthy frog, the less horn re- 

 moved by the knife so much the better, as the larger 

 and stronger the hoof, the more fitted is it to bear 

 pressure and protect the delicate structures underneath. 



From what we have shown it will be sufficiently 

 evident that skill is necessary in the preparation of the 

 foot for the reception of the shoe ; and it is equally 

 incumbent on the groom and his master, as well as 

 the smith, to possess this knowledge ; and it is well 

 for some one always to be in attendance during the 

 operation of shoeing. 



THE PUTTING ON OF THE SHOE. 



The foot having been prepared, the smith selects a 

 shoe from among those already made, which he thinks 

 may fit as nearly as possible, and what alterations 

 are necessary are made on the shoe. This frequently 



