37° 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



vent this the horse is shod with shoes possessing sharp 

 calks. There are several makes of shoes with removable 

 calks. A smooth-shod horse is liable to slip more on the 

 ice than a barefooted one. Many horses possess notably 

 poor action, some overreaching, forging and clicking; 

 others interfering, striking, cutting and brushing. In 

 many cases this faulty action can be improved by proper 

 shoeing. In such cases the shoes must be made and set 

 to suit each individual animal. 



Fitting the shoe. — In fitting the shoe to the hoof care 

 must be exercised not to rob the hoof or leave too much 



horn,, as either mistake may 

 lead to injury. Of the many 

 factors to be considered in pre- 

 paring the hoof, perhaps the 

 most important is to keep the 

 foot perfectly level, thus pre- 

 venting undue weight being 

 thrown on any part, with all 

 the attending injuries. The 

 frog should not be touched fur- 

 ther than to remove tags or 

 layers that are so loose as to 

 form no protection. The object 

 sought is to make the foot nor- 

 mal, and then make the shoe fit 

 the foot. In leveling the hoof, 

 carefully note the wear of the old shoe. It gives evidence 

 of the manner in which the hoof has been set to the 

 ground since the shoe was nailed to it. The shoe should 

 be fitted cold. Never place a hot shoe against a freshly 

 pared sole, as it not only causes the animal pain but may 

 lead to injury. 



Nailing and clinching the shoe. — In nailing the shoe to 

 the foot the nails should not be driven too near the edge 

 of the sole, for in such cases it is necessary to drive the 

 nails too far up into the wall to make them hold. If 



Fig. 164. — Well-Fitted Shoe 



