124 THE HORSE 



outside so that they are always sharp. Indeed, 

 a set that has been used some on frozen ground 

 are sharper — though, of course, shorter — than 

 new ones. When worn out they can be taken off 

 with a wrench and replaced by new ones. Many 

 smiths dislike to put on " Neverslip " shoes, but 

 they are enough better than the ordinary kind to 

 make it worth while to insist upon having them. 



When, as occasionally happens, circumstances 

 make it necessary to elevate the heels to take some 

 of the strain off the back tendons, the purpose is 

 usually best accomplished by using a pad, with 

 the shoe rather thin. This is better than a com- 

 mon shoe with heel calks and no toe calks, though 

 the harm that is done by a shoe with calks is in 

 its long continued use. For a few weeks or 

 months it rarely does any appreciable damage. 



The rules I have here given for shoeing are, of 

 course, general; it would be impossible to 

 formulate rules to fit each and every case. The 

 important thing is for the horse owner to first 

 fully understand the principles involved in cor- 

 rect shoeing and then to use his common sense in 

 any case requiring special treatment. 



