DISEASES OF THE FOOT AND SHOEING 283 



size or prepared for the shoe at each shoeing. The experienced 

 shoer relies upon the judgment of his eye to determine the correct 

 relationship between the length of toe and the height of the heel. 

 At this time he places the horse on a perfectly level floor to see 

 that the paring and rasping have left the foot "in balance," or 

 level, and the bearing surface suitable for attachment of the 

 shoe. All the wall, the white line, and }•$ inch of the sole must 

 come in contact with the shoe, so that each part shall bear its 

 proportionate share of the weight. The frog and bars are only 

 trimmed in rare cases. 



When the toe is left too long the heels do not perform their 

 share in supporting the weight and bend toward and press unduly 

 upon the frog. If more horn is removed from one side than the 

 other, the foot is thrown out of balance and more strain and con- 

 cussion placed on the side having the highest wall. This is apt 

 to damage the sensitive structures on that side from overwork, 

 while those on the opposite side atrophy from lack of use. 



Young horses, and those kept under conditions whereby the 

 feet are moistened at regular intervals, must be shod oftener than 

 other animals because the horn of their feet grows faster. A 

 four-year old should usually have the shoes set every three 

 weeks, while an aged horse may go four weeks or longer. When 

 the shoes are left on too long corns may develop, or the nails 

 work loose and injure the feet and legs. 



The horseshoe in common use is machine turned, so must be 

 fitted to the foot before being nailed on. There are shoes for 

 front and hind feet and for right and left feet. They should be no 

 heavier than will suffice for about one month's wear. The fuller- 

 ing is the groove on the lower surface of the shoe. It aids in pre- 

 venting slipping and has the nail holes punched in it. Clips are 

 earlike projections drawn up at the toe and quarters more firmly 

 to attach the shoe to the foot and take the strain off the nails. 

 Calkings are placed at the toe and heels. They are useful to 

 prevent slipping. The heel calk is turned at a right angle to the 

 bar of the shoe. Sometimes the outer calk is turned horizontal 

 to the bar. Summer shoe calks are blunt. Winter calks are 

 sharp. Four-calked shoes are used to bring about certain 

 kinds of toe action. Never-slip calks are useful for horses driven 

 on city streets. They are objectionable, for the reason that they 

 may break off or cause serious calk wounds. Their advantages 



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