AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 557 



horse runs he clears, at each bound, about twenty-three feet, and 

 touches the ground with but one foot at a time. Consequently, 

 the whole weight of the animal falls upon a single slioe every 

 leap he takes. It is, therefore, indispensable that it should fit 

 the crust of the hoof from heel to heel, and have an equal bear- 

 ing all around; and that the surface of the hoof, which protects 

 the edges of the lamina, should never be rasped with a file. 

 This the smith always does, as he considers it the most ornamen- 

 tal part of his business; and usually finishes off by destroying 

 this wonderful design of nature; and not this alone, but likewise 

 pares the frog with his knife, which should on no account be 

 touched. 



There is a difference between the hind and fore feet of a horse; 

 still the same rule holds good with regard to the shoes, and, as in 

 the management for the fore feet, they must be made to fit the 

 foot in such a manner as to bring the heels near the frog, and at 

 the some time to allow for the expansion of the inside quarter. 

 Blacksmiths usually square the toes of the hind feet and place 

 clips on each side of the shoe to prevent them from striking 

 against the heels of the fore shoes, making the disagreeable noise 

 you often hear when tlie animal is traveling fast. But as a horse 

 never does thus strike, the object is defeated. The outer rim of 

 tlie hind shoe strikes the inner rim of the fore shoe, in tlie rear 

 of the quarters. Consequently, squaring the hind toes adds to 

 the difliculty instead of remedying it. It is better practice to 

 make the toes round, or rather leave it as you find it, and turn a 

 clip up in t]ie centre. Tlie blacksmith should so arrange the 

 holes in the shoe that the nails may be driven straight through 

 the strongest portion of tlie lamina, across the grain, and low 

 down in the shank, and the head must be hidden in the groove. 

 It is customary so to incline the holes, that it is next to impossi- 

 ble to direct the nails in such a way as not to cause the horse 

 disquietude, if he escapes pricking. Broken knees, and irretriev- 

 able lameness, is often caused by misplaced nails, but more 

 frequently by the abominable and unpardonable carelessness of 

 the smith, when removing old shoes, which he wrenches off with 

 the most wanton violence, invariably forcing the clenches through 



