292 REMOUNT SYSTEMS OF FOREIGN ARMIES. 



issued, "pointed" and finished in such a way as also to be ready for use 

 without further preparation. 



The different steps in the operation of shoeing are to be adopted method- 

 ically and progressively, and taught thoroughly. 



For instruction, men ai-e to be preferred who have been accustomed to 

 work in a forge, to handle a hammer, or to manipulate horses' legs and 

 feet. 



No man is to be dismissed as proficient who can not shoe a horse, serv- 

 iceably well, within an hour. 



Level, even fitting of the shoe to the foot and careful and solid nailing 

 on are the chief objects to be attained in this system of shoeing. 



VII. — WINTER SHOEING BY THE INSERTION OF FROST NAILS. 



These nails are intended for "roughing" horses in frosty or slippery 

 weather, and are made of mild steel, having chisel-shaped heads. The 

 heads are hardened, but the shanks are not. 



The "small" size is similar in shape in the shank to the ordinary horse- 

 shoe iron nails, and is suitable for use by medium or light cavalry and 

 other riding horses. The shoes for such horses will range from No. 2 to 

 No. 4 or 5 sizes. 



The "large" size nails are suitable for mounted services other than those 

 mentioned above, the shoes for which range from No. 5 to 8. 



The average weight per 1,000 is: large, 35i pounds; small, 24 pounds. 



The following general instructions for the use of these frost nails are 

 published for the information of all those concerned : 



One shovild be inserted in each heel of each fore shoe, and one in the 

 outer heel of each hind shoe, where there are no calks or wedge heels ; or, 

 should it be considered expedient, in the case of draft or other heavy horses 

 one nail would be inserted in each heel, and in the toes when considered 

 requisite. For this purpose the "small" nail will do, as the shank will, if 

 necessary, penetrate the hoof. 



For di'aft horses an oblique hole similar to those in the heels should be 

 stamped between the first and second toe nail holes, so that frost nails can 

 be readily inserted in the same manner when required. 



These holes would take the small or large frost nails at discretion. 



It is a good plan to have the head of the outside nail across the shoe, 

 and the inside one in the same line as the shoe, so as to prevent injury to 

 the opposite leg of the horse. 



The success of these nails entirely depends on the accuracy with which 

 they are fitted to the nail holes. The countersunk portion of the nail 

 head should be completely embedded therein, only allowing the "chisel" 

 head or sharp portion to remain above the shoe, otherwise an undue strain 

 is caused on the neck of the nail, which breaks or wears loose, or bends 

 over. Too much attention can not be paid to this, as a neglect of it often 

 leads to failure. 



The horses must be shod a little wider at the heels than usual, to allow 

 of exit of nails without penetrating the horn, and the nail hole must be 

 punched exactly on the wearing surface, from whence it should pass 

 obliquely upward and outward to the upper surface of the shoe. The 

 nail should fit tightly ; to insure this, it is a good plan, after the nail is 



