AND HIS DISEASES. 187 



farrier study the art of arranging his shoe so as to "fit the 

 shoe to the foot, and not the foot to the shoe," keeping the 

 great primary objects always in view of protecting without 

 -injuring. While, therefore, there are no special rules for 

 fitting the shoe, there are general rules which are applic- 

 able to all cases. Thus, the bearing must be perfectly level 

 and even in a strong healthy foot. The weight should be 

 removed ofif weak parts, and thrown on to those parts which 

 are capable of sustaining it — not, however, by twisting the 

 shoe, as is commonly done, but by reducing the crust beyond 

 pressure. It is always advisable to shoe "easy" at the heels — 

 that is, to rasp the heels down so that daylight maybe seen be- 

 tween the crust and the shoe. The shoe should be allowed to 

 project an eighth or a quarter of an inch beyond the heels in 

 draught horses; but in saddle or road horses it should be 

 cut ofiF at the heels. It must not be left too wide, especially 

 the inner heel, as it is apt to cause interfering ; and when 

 too wide at the outer heel it is liable to be torn off, especially 

 in soft ground, or by being trod on by another horse. On 

 the other hand, it must not be too close, as the hoof is apt to 

 overgrow it, and in time get sunk into the foot and bruise 

 the sole. 



NUMBEE OF NAILS. 



For this there is no rule. We find, for most feet, eight 

 are required in draught horses, seven for saddle, and five for 

 ponies. They should be placed where the crust is strongest, 

 principally to the outer quarter and toward the toe of the in- 

 ner, and in some feet it will be found necessary to place them 

 round the toe. The nails should be as small as practicable, 

 and if the feet are good, should not be driven too high. The 

 clenches should be short and carefully hammered down, so as 

 to prevent them raising and cutting the opposite leg. 



