SANDCRACK. 181 



of an inch apart ; the cLa«ps should not be covered with any greas}- 

 material, which might cause their liold to become loosened ; it is 

 well to wet them with vinegar or witli an acid, so as to facilitate 

 their oxidation, and, thus, to increase their adhesion to the horn ; 

 the clasps should be protected by a leather strap ; and, as soon as 



■f ^g- 55- — Iron for burning grooves in hoof (full size}. 



the hoof grows sufficiently down, say, in tliree or four weeks, a 

 fresli clasp should be placed above the topmost one. A second 

 method of clasping, but one requiring the aid of a skilful smith, is 

 to cut a small groove, about a quarter of an inch deep, at each side 



Fig. 56. — Instruments for clasping a sandcrack. 



of, and parallel to the crack ; each groove being about half an inch 

 away from it. A small, broad horse-nail, with its point liammered 

 flat, is now driven so as to enter at one groove and to come out at 

 the otlier (Fig. 57). The edges of the crack are brought together 

 with the pincers ; the head of the nail is cut off, and both ends are 



