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68 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



a great deal of work required of the animal, three 

 nails on the inside and four on the outside will be 

 sufficient, and the last nail being distant from the heel, 

 will permit of expansion in that part. Besides, it is 

 always desirable that as few nails as possible should 

 be used, so that they are sufficient to secure the 

 adhesion of the shoe. That there may be no pressure 

 on the sole, the inside of the web of the shoe is 

 bevelled off, or rendered concave. As we have 

 already explained, the foot of the horse is exceedingly 

 susceptible, and easily bruised if the sole comes in 

 contact with hard substances. Although it is so far 

 protected by the iron shoe, the sole descends slightly 

 when the foot of the animal is placed on the ground, 

 and is unable to bear constant or even temporary 

 pressure for any length of time ; and if it bears upon 

 the shoe, the sensible sole between the coffin-bone 

 and horny external sole would be so much bruised as 

 to occasion lameness, and if long continued it would 

 be of a very serious character. Working horses too 

 early has a strong tendency to flatten the natural 

 concavity of the sole, and may induce a disposition to 

 continued descent. If the feet are pumiced, the shoe 

 must have an extra degree of bevelling to protect 

 them. 



When shoes are flat, gravel and dirt constantly 

 insinuate themselves and lodge there, and are certain 

 upon a journey to bruise and injure the foot ; but in 

 bevelled shoes, it is hardly possible for either to remain 

 between the sole and foot, as they would naturally be 

 shaken out every time the foot comes in contact with 

 the ground. 



Another advantage in this shoe is that the web is 

 of that proper thickness, that when the crust is properly 

 pared the prominent part of the frog will lie im- 



