25 2 
AN ESSAY ON SHOEING. 
two clips are indispensable accompaniments to the unilateral shoe 
for security, whether for the road or the field. A clip of consi- 
derable size let in at the centre of the toe, where there is always 
abundance, if not superabundance of horn, is very important, and 
it safely permits of upwards of an inch of horn to be left un- 
nailed at this part: the other clip upon the outside quarter, acting 
as more than a substitute for a nail, needs not to be quite so large ; 
but whether small or large, it is perfectly harmless. 
For the security of the shoe, it is the bounden duty of the fire- 
man to punch the outside heel nail-hole as near to the heel of the 
shoe as may be found compatible with the substance of crust 
which is to receive the nail at that part, remembering that the 
wall generally diminishes in thickness as it approaches the heel. 
I need scarcely remark that this back nail cannot be deemed a 
fetter , as there exists no antagonist to it on the opposite side, or 
other half of the shoe. Shortness of time and space permits me 
only to glance at three or four of the great leading principles in 
the practice of shoeing. The subordinate points, which are con- 
tributary to the perfect execution of this extensive and most use- 
ful branch of mechanics, are too numerous for even mentioning. 
I must, however, here remark, that the triumph of the side-nail- 
ing during the last ten years, as a grand principle of horse-shoeing, 
owes its success with the public to its extreme simplicity, being 
self-acting and cheap. Yet I have to declare my conviction that 
it is rarely carried to perfection, either in the forges of town or 
country. Although the simplicity of the principle constitutes 
one of its chief excellencies, not only are the very best materials 
indispensable, but the fireman, or fitter-out, must possess that 
certain amount of experience of every variety of hoof which has 
never yet been accumulated in the head of a youngster, however 
expert he may prove in all his manipulations. 
Ergo : — a fireman in the prime of life : 
Ergo again : — liberal remuneration as a necessary sequence. 
Paring of the foot to receive the shoe is a department safe in a 
young doorman’s hands, the extent of it being invariably regu- 
lated by the discretion of the fireman or fitter-out. Before an 
audience like the present much detail in reference to this would 
savour of dictation. 
I would briefly say that I hold the frog sacred from the knife, 
except its rags or loose portions; also the sole, except its flakes 
or exfoliations. The crust to be freely lowered with- the rasp, toe 
and heels, when it can well afford it ; but when unusually scanty 
from slow growth or any other cause, it is the duty of the fireman 
to punch a shoe especially for the individual foot, that the door- 
