SHOEING. 99 



with intelligence. For when the foot has got out of the 

 proper level, a serious danger is imminent. Increase of 

 horn at the toe throws the pastern into an oblique posi- 

 tion, and undue weight upon the tendons and ligaments at 

 the back of the foot strains them. 



Heels that are too high throw improper violence upon the 

 bones and joints of the extremities, much as would be the 

 case in man were he forced to wear a high-heeled boot a 

 little too short at the toe. But little danger of this kind may 

 be anticipated in the barefooted horse. 



The inexperienced horse owner forced to submit to the 

 work of an incompetent farrier may secure sufficient accuracy 

 of level by insisting that the surface of the wall or outer 

 crust of horn be brought to a level with the firm, unpared 

 sole. The sole requires no reduction whatever, and owners 

 of horses who permit it to be gouged and carved are sub- 

 mitting themselves as well as their property to an injury 

 which, in some cases, will be forever without remedy. 

 Nature provides in her own way for any excess of growth of 

 frog and sole. Those who thin the sole with the avowed 

 purpose of giving it greater elasticity, overlook the fact that 

 they are removing its natural defense against injury and dis- 

 ease, a defense which no substitute can make good. 



Having been prepared, preparation of the shoe is next in 

 order, and it should be made to conform to the foot. Who- 

 ever is not sufficient master of the hammer to fit the iron to the 

 foot instead of burning the foot into the shape of the iron, 

 should not be permitted to handle horses' feet. The best of 

 nails should be used, and three nails well set on a side are 

 usually as good as four. The use of thin plates during eight 

 or ten months of the year is preferable to thick shoes with 

 heavy calks, except upon the feet of horses forced to travel 

 slippery pavements and haul great loads. 



