736 SHOEING. 



th;in that of tbe luttcr. The slopes taken for both fore aud hiud 

 hoofs, are an average of those observed, from time to time, among 

 a number of unshod horses ; for I have felt justified in assuming 

 that, as the unprotected hoof readily wears down by friction with 

 the ground, it will assume the slope best fitted for performing its 

 functions. 



5th. In the unshod foot tlic toe is rounded, as a result of 

 wear. 



Preparation of the Foot. 



As the shoe ought to be enjployed simply as a protection 

 against excessive wear of horn; it should be applied in such a 

 manner that it will interfere, as little as possible, with the natural 



Pla!ilarcusMoTL^K.f. ^MBij!^^^^\ \^N^^. - .Sensitive lamina 



>^R^-<^^^f-vii^^^>Sr'^^ - ■Sensitive soU 

 Homy sole ^g^^||^^^^a - "^'^»' ^^ 



Fig. 191. — Vertical and transverse section of a hoof, the shoe of which 

 is concave below on the right side, and " seated " on the left side. 



shape and uses of the foot. Ileiice, previous to its being put on, 

 the hoof should be lirought into a natural shape, as regards its 

 slope and weight-ljearing surfaces; exxept that the wall and outer 

 portion of the sole should be reduced so as to allow for the thick- 

 ness of the shoe. Although the horn of the hoof grows at about 

 the same rate all round ; still, when the animal is shod, the shoe, 

 being immovable at the toe, protects it from wear, but the heels 

 are constantly battered down by the iron of that part. When 

 the shoe has been on for some time, the toe will require to be 

 reduced much more than the heels. As a rule, in order to allow 

 for the thickness of the shoe, the toe will require to be lowered 

 as much as possible, without, however, running any chance of 

 making the horse " go tender." It is advisable, therefore, to begin 

 by lowering the foot without touching the heels; and when the 

 horn at the toe has been sufficiently reduced, we may see if the 

 heels cannot be lowered without injuriously affecting the slope of 



