CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES 133 



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 nail holes should not be too near the edge of the sole, 

 for in such case it is necessary to drive the nails too far up into 

 the wall to make them hold. On the other hand, the nail hole^ 

 should be well back, the nails small in size, and when driven, 

 should be brought out well down on the hoof. If driven high, 

 when the shoes are reset, or the animal reshod, the former nail 

 holes are near the edge and serve to weaken the hoof and interfere 

 with driving the new nails. After driving the nails, they are to be 

 clinched in a small groove fitted for that purpose. Smooth with 

 rasp, but never rasp the outside of the hoof as it will remove the 

 natural protective covering. This natural covering should not 

 be removed, as the hoof will absorb water in the wet season and 

 dry out much more rapidly in the dry season. 



TRAINING THE COLT 



The colt should be taught subordination at the very start and 

 not be allowed to become headstrong. The usefulness of the 

 future horse will depend much on his courage and fearlessness, 

 and it is to promote these that the colt should become familiar 

 with man at as early an age as possible. If taken in time and 

 properly handled, he need never know fear. A colt should never 

 be frightened. Too many persons thoughtlessly try to make 

 the young colt show off by doing something to startle it, by run- 

 ning at it, throwing sticks, "shooing" it, and the like, which 

 should never be done if a reliable animal is to be developed. 

 Teach the colt useful lessons only. Because colts are bright and 

 very susceptible to training, they are often taught tricks and al- 

 lowed to become mischievous — to bite, rear, kick, or anything 

 else that may seem " cute." These very things later become a 

 great annoyance and are very hard to overcome. One should not 



