912 



Shoeing of Horses. 



[march, 



the wall. The latter is of uniform thickness below this 

 groove, but towards the quarters and heels it gradually gets 

 thinner. A number of horny "leaves" are found lining the 

 inner surface of the wall, the conformation of which is similar 

 to that of the fleshy "leaves" which cover the coffin bone, 

 and fit in with them like a dovetail. A thin band or ring, 

 known as the perioplic ring or frog-band, runs round the 

 upper edge of the wall, and secretes the horn of the periople, 

 which becomes very prominent when the foot is soaked in 

 water. 



The Sole. — The sole is similar in shape to the under surface 

 of the pedal bone, and is slightly arched towards the centre. 

 The insensitive sole grows from the sensitive sole above it, 

 as may be seen in the illustration (Fig. i), and when it 

 attains a length of from a quarter to five-eighths of an inch 

 it separates from the under surface of the sole, and becomes 

 detached from the foot. 



The Frog. — The frog may be described as a wedge-shaped 

 piece of horn, the broad end of which fits in between the 

 heels (Fig. 2). The horny or insensitive frog grows from 

 the sensitive frog above it, and is nature's chief provision 

 against concussion. 



The above notes give the general formation of the horse's 

 foot, and when the anatomy of this portion of the horse is 

 thoroughly understood, the student will be provided with a 

 good foundation upon which to build up his practical know- 

 ledge of farriery. 



Manufacture of Shoes. — Shoes are made both by hand and 

 by machinery, the first method being preferable. For hand- 

 made shoes, the best material is to be found in bar iron, or, 

 better still, old shoes turned over and welded up. The 

 hammer and sledge must be used with considerable effect to 

 render the shoes hard and tough and of a steely texture. 

 Ordinary riding horses, hunters, and carriage horses require 

 to be shod with a tolerably light shoe, wide enough to cover 

 the weight-bearing structure of the foot. The shoe must be 

 of uniform thickness and width, the former quality depending 

 largely upon the particular structure of the foot to be shod; 

 in all cases,, however, it should be as thin as is compatible 

 with durability for a month. Fore shoes are generally 



