CHAPTER VI. 



Selection of Shoes. 



In practice, a farrier does not trouble much about 

 the selection of suitable shoes. The rule is to apply 

 "whatever form of a shoe the horse has been wearing, and 

 only to venture an opinion as to alterations when asked 

 by the owner. When the selection of a suitable shoe is 

 left to the workman he takes into consideration the work 

 required of the horse, the form of the feet, and the wear 

 of the old shoes. The form of the old shoes indicates not 

 only whether a horse is a light or hard wearer, but what 

 parts of the shoe are most worn, and thus enables provi- 

 sion to be made against excessive or irregular wear. 

 The form of the feet indicates not only what size of shoe 

 is requisite, but also what special weakness or strength is 

 to be encountered. It is also necessary to note the con- 

 dition of the fetlocks and knees, which may show signs 

 of "brushi)ig" or "speedy cutting." According to all 

 these appearances a shoe should be selected. For the 

 different classes of horses there are well-known forms of 

 shoe which present special advantages, thus: — 



The Race Horse, when in training, may be shod 

 with a very light shoe, but on the turf he requires the 

 lightest contrivance capable of protecting the hoof and 

 affording good foot-hold. The ordinary racing plate 

 answers these requirements. It is made in a " crease," or 

 tool, or may be made from specially prepared bars which 

 only need cutting into lengths and turning round. The 

 plate is about one-third of an inch wide by one-eighth 

 thick. The foot-surface is flat, and the ground- surface 

 is fullered and concave. 



Steeple-Chase plates are made on the same pattern, 

 but should be a little stronger, so as to avoid even the 

 possibility of becoming twisted on the foot. 



