88 Animal Husbandry 
horses are closely confined in the stable, the hoofs grow out long, 
and if not trimmed, will deform the limb and make traveling 
difficult. 
154. Growth of hoof. — The rate of growth of the hoof is of 
much importance, for we are often interested to know how long 
it will take a crack, such as quarter-crack, side-crack, or toe-crack, 
a cleft, or a calk to disappear. On the average, the hoof grows 
one-third of an inch a month. Hind hoofs grow faster than fore 
hoofs and unshod ones faster than shod. While influenced to some 
extent by work or exercise, grooming, moisture, and food, the time 
required for the horn to grow from the coronet to the ground varies 
in proportion to the distance of the coronet to the ground. The 
toe, therefore, depending on its height, grows down in ten to thirteen 
months, the sides, six to eight, and the heel in three to five months. 
165: Shoeing. — The horse’s hoof wears off faster than it 
grows out, and it becomes sore. In order to prevent the hoof from 
wearing too rapidly the feet are shod. While there are many 
reasons for applying shoes, the most important are as follows: — 
First, to prevent wearing away of the hoof in order that it may 
not get sore. Horses show need of shoeing first in the fore feet, 
and in some parts of the country only the fore feet are shod. For 
this purpose the light shoe is preferred. Second, to prevent slip- 
ping on ice or mud. For this purpose, when the work is hard, 
heavy shoes with large calks are best, but for easy work they may 
be lighter. Third, horses are shod to modify their action. 
Of the many things to be considered in fitting a shoe perhaps the 
most important is to keep the foot perfectly level, thus preventing 
undue weight being thrown on one side, and other attendant in- 
juries. The frog should be left in its natural size and shape to 
serve as a cushion for the foot. Make the foot normal. Then 
make the shoe fit the foot. In fitting a shoe, nothing will aid one 
as much as a careful examination of the wear of the old shoe. The 
shoe should be fitted cold or not so hot as to burn the sole when 
placed against it in fitting. In nailing the shoe to the foot, the 
