AND HIS DISEASES. 185 



breadth of the shoe, to afford a level surface for the heels and 

 bars to rest upon. The web must be bevelled out all round 

 the extent of the sole to admit of the elastic action which it 

 possesses. This is seldom sufficiently hollowed out, and, 

 especially in flat feet, often gives rise to bruises of the sole. 

 The width of the web must be regulated by the nature of the 

 foot and the work he is intended for ; if flat and thin, it 

 should be broad and strong. The hunter requires a narrow 

 shoe to prevent it being torn oflf on soft ground, while the 

 dray horse requires a broad shoe to protect his feet from 

 bruises on the roads. 



The ground surface should be perfectly level, so as to pre- 

 sent as many points of bearing as possible. The fullering 

 should be deep enough to receive the heads of the nails, and 

 may extend from heel to heel, or merely, as in most cases, on 

 each quarter. The nail-holes require remark ; they should 

 be directed so as to correspond with the direction of the 

 crust ; thus, at the toe they should be punched obliquely 

 inward, and brought out near the inner edge of the seating, 

 getting more perpendicular as they approach the heels. 

 They should always be placed as far from the heel, particu- 

 larly the inner heel, as practicable with the safe retention of 

 the shoe. 



When the foot is properly prepared, the shoe should be of 

 the same thickness throughout, and sufficiently strong to 

 prevent bending or breaking ; but when, as is the common 

 custom, the heels are unduly reduced, and the toe elongated, 

 it is necessary to thicken the heel of the shoe to compensate 

 for what has been removed by the knife or rasp. 



PKEPAEATION OF THE FOOT. 



The old shoe must be removed by carefully cutting or 

 raising the clenches, and gently wrenching it oflF with the 



