236 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE ROOM. 



therefore, must so fit the foot that it bears only on 

 the crust, and it should therefore, in order to do 

 this, follow in its shape that of the crust, and 

 inasmuch as the greatest amount of wear is at the 

 toe, that portion of the shoe should be thicker than 

 elsewhere, so as to withstand the wear and tear. 

 Inversely, as but little wear takes jolace at the heel, 

 there is no need for the iron to be as thick there 

 as at the toe. 



It will be seen, therefore, that the shoe should 

 be both narrower and thinner as it approaches the 

 heel. Thick, wide metal becomes useless lumber. 

 A shoe, also, should not project beyond the edges 

 of the crust, especially on the inside, as the latter 

 would very probably interfere with the action, and 

 the horse be badly cut and damaged ; and if it 

 projects on the outer side, it is not only useless, 

 but likely to pull off in deep ground. 



A shoe should be plenty long enough at the 

 heels, but not too long. If too short, it will sink 

 into the heel and cause corns and other evils ; if 

 too long, it will pull off, and also be in the 

 way. 



The only plan I know of which really answers, 

 by which to fasten the shoe to the foot, is by nailing 

 it on, through holes in the shoe, obliquely through 

 the crust. The ends of the projecting nails are 



