PREPARATION OF THE FOOT. 



45 



preparation, and the farrier inclines Ms rasp too much, 

 inwards, he leaves the wall at the heel lower than the 

 sole within it. On such a foot, a level shoe rests upon 

 the sole instead of upon the wall, and a bruised heel 

 soon follows. 



Fig. 30.— Uneven Surface, over-lowered at Heel and Toe. 



Paring A^vay the Sole to produce a deep, con- 

 cave appearance has another evil effect in addition to 

 that before ]:>ointed out. It removes the horn just within 

 the border of the v/all, taking away the natural support, 

 and leaving as bearing surface for a shoe a narrow ridge 

 instead of a strong fiat surface. Fig. 31 shows this fault, 

 and it must be remembered that this ridge may be left 

 as thin as a knife edge. Such a ridge cannot sustain the 

 weight of the horse, and when it yields, the shoe also 

 yields, the clenches are raised and the shoe becomes loose. 



Excessive Rasping of Wall. — The best farriers — 

 those most proud of their work — have a great temptatif)U 

 to use a rasp too freely to the outer surface of the wall. 

 The hoof gets rough, or it may be ridged, its appearance 

 is improved by being made smooth, and it is only human 

 to turn out work which is clean and neat. Owners and 

 grooms are rather inclined to forget the claims of the, 

 horse when judging shoeing, and th§ result is that some 



