FCRMATION AND FIXING OF THE SHOE, 297 
the heel between the bars and frog should be kept well open, 
and the bars extending to the point of the frog left pro- 
minent. With horses that have very high and narrow heels, 
approaching contraction, the free use of the knife is a 
necessity, and with it and the rasp, the crust should be 
lowered considerably, but exactly how much or how little 
should be left to the discretion of the smith, who ought to be, 
and often is, the best judge of such matters. It is at leasv 
beyond my aim to attempt to lay down specific rules for 
isolated cases. The subject is one most satisfactorily treated 
on broad principles. It has been discussed theoretically and 
scientifically by many eminent men, whose otherwise admir- 
able observations have, I cannot help thinking, lost much of 
their value by the introduction of hypothetical facts leading 
to equally visionary arguments. 
The shoe usually worn by the racehorse is the common 
English shoe, to the description of which I shall at present 
confine myself, as it is probably the best of all, as it is 
certainly thoroughly efficient for its purpose. It is, or should 
be, of medium size in width and thickn2ss, only varying 
slightly in certain special cases. It should rest on the crust 
or inferior surface of the wall of the foot; and in order to 
prevent pressure and injury to the sole, it should be bevelled 
on the inside, and consequently be much thinner on the inner 
and under part than it is on the outside. It is generally 
fastened with seven nails, four on the outside and three on 
the inside, which method, both in disposition and number, I 
believe to be the best. A greater number would, in 
repeated shoeing, be apt to break the crust of the foot and 
so injure it; a less, would be insufficient and dangerous from 
the risk of the horse often throwing the shoe. This number 
it should be remembered is not an absolute necessity, nor 
