94 



THE ART OF HORSE-SHOEING. 



fitting, and we liave conditions wliicli only tlie rcvv 

 strongest feet can endure without serious injury. 



For lieavy draught liorses, and for all where the- 

 roads arc hilly, the toes as well as the heels luust be- 

 ''sharped" when ice and snow are firm, on the surface. 

 "Fig. 08 shows this arrangement at the toe. The remov- 



FiG. 68.— Toe sharp. 



able steel "sharps," of wliich I have spoken, are cer- 

 tainly the least objectionable method of providing foot- 

 hold in winter. They are made in various sizes to suit 

 all kinds of shoes. They vary in shape somewhat, but 

 tbeir form is more a matter of fancy than utility. One 



Fkj. 69. — Removable steel sharp. 



in each heel of a shoe is the usual number used, but i f 

 snow and ice are plentiful and the roads hilly, two addi- 

 tional " sharps" may be placed at the toe of the shoe. 



At th(! time of fitting the shoes, holes are made by 

 first punching a round hole through the heels — and 

 through the toe if desired; then the hole is "tapped " and 

 a thread formed to fit it in the shank of the sharp which 

 is to fill it. If the sharx^s are not immediately wanted,.. 



