96 
SHORT NOTES ON PROFESSIONAL SUBJECTS. 
The toe of the shoe is slightly turned up, thus removing it from the great amount 
of wear, which in nearly all cases it is subject to ; it also frequently prevents horses 
from stumbling when tired, as instead of an abrupt edge, a rounded surface strikes 
the irregularity in the act causing stumbling, so that the foot is not so completely 
checked in its advance, and the animal’s equilibrium is not thereby so easily overcome. 
The portion turned up also acts as a clip, preventing the shoe moving backwards. The 
surface next to the foot is perfectly flat, and rests on the sole. The ground surface 
is bevelled, thus protecting the heads of the nails from too much wear, and offering 
no line or cavity whereby a stone can lodge or become wedged. The web of the 
shoe is gradually brought very narrow at the heels, its outer rim corresponding 
exactly with the crust, and the heel of the shoe terminating at the heel of the foot, 
thus offering protection to the crust only, and without presenting any surface to be 
trodden upon or allowing of the least suction in heavy ground. In short, the shoe 
should merely represent a continuation of the crust. The nail-holes are in the 
centre of the web, and directed outwards, the foot having been properly prepared as 
stated above, the nails pass directly through the horn, secure a good hold, without in 
any way approaching and interfering with the sensitive parts. The point of the nail 
thus driven need not be higher than three~quarters of an inch. The advantages of 
this system of nailing on the shoe are thus shown. Tig. 7 representing the system 
I advocate, and Fig. 8 the usual method. 
Fig. 7. Figr S. 
It will thus be seen that the nail holds by a greater portion of horn, without 
interfering with the sensitive parts, and is less likely to cause the horn to split. The 
two small side clips give great support to the shoe, and their presence necessitates 
the smith fitting the shoe to the foot instead of the foot to the shoe. They in no 
way prevent expansion, as no such thing exists at that part of the foot. The 
smallest sized nails should invariably be used and fitted into each nail-hole before 
applying the shoe ; the head of the nail should project so much only out of the 
nail-hole, as to insure that the “ counter-sink” is quite filled. 
To recapitulate ; allow of no paring or rasping, have plenty of horn left in which 
to drive the nails, use very small nails, do not allow them to be driven higher than 
three-quarters of an inch, and have a light shoe made of good material ; the pattern 
shoe is intended for near or off, hind or fore. 
Prevent your horse always standing on an incline plane when in the stables, by 
insisting upon his being loose; do not have his feet stopped, but merely washed; 
there is no necessity for the sole being soft, as the horse stands upon an arch, and is 
supported by the crust or wall. See that these simple rules are strictly carried out, 
and your horse will carry you safely over the roughest of roads, and will not be con¬ 
tinually in pain when in action. 
