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Pkok. Gkokoe E. Kich.

A Practical and Scientific Treatise.

GIVING IMPROVED METHODS OF SHOEING, WITH

SPECIAL DIRECTIONS FOR SHAPING SHOES

TO CURE DIFFERENT DISEASES OF THE

FOOT, AND FOR THE CORRECTION OF

FAULTY ACTION IN TROTTERS.

BY

PROF. GEO. E. RICH,

ILLUSTRATED.

NEW YORK:
M. T. Richardson, Publisher.

1887.

COPYRIGHTED BV

M. T. RICHARDSON,

1887.

VR)

CIBB BKUS.,
KINTHKS AND ELECTKOTVI'RRS,
57 KOSB ST., NRW YORK.

NEW BOLTOH
CCMTER

PREFACE.

In presenting- this work to the horse-shoeing- fraternity,
the author desires to state that the illustrations and de-
scriptions of shoes furnished do not represent impracticable
theories, but are the result of long- years of experience.
Ever^^ one of the shoes described has been tested and found
to do the work claimed for it. His object in bringing- out
this book is to elevate the practice of horse-shoeing- and
instruct those who desire instruction, as to the best methods
of shoeing-. He does not claim that the book is free from
imperfections, but asks his readers not to condemn his
methods without first g-iving them a thoroug-h trial.

57622 E

INTRODUCTION.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PROF. GEO. E. RICH.

The publisher of this work has felt that the many friends
of Prof. Geo. E. Rich, as well as those who are likely to be-
come his friends from the perusal of this book, would be
glad to know something- of his early history and to see a
portrait of the man who has achieved such success as a
practical horse-shoer and lecturer on the anatomy of the
horse's foot. Prof. Rich Avas born in the village of Leona,
Bradford Co., Pa., in the year 1847. His father was a
blacksmith, and young Georg-e commenced helping- him in
his shop when he had to stand on a wooden box in the front
of the anvil in order to wield his sledg-e successfull3\

He began to shoe horses, when he was eleven years of
ag-e, in the village of Roseville, Pa., and worked in that
place until he was fourteen years old. From there he went
to Washington, D. C, and followed his trade of horse-
shoer at the corner of I and 24th streets, shoeing- large
numbers of horses for the Government. Thence, after
about a year, he went to Dunkirk, N. Y., and from there to
Elmira, working in each place for several years. He after-
wards worked for a couple of 3^ears in Tioga Co., Pa., as
Avell as in Harrisburg.

0 INTRODUCTION.

From tliere he Aveiit to Baltimore, where he succeeded in
^'•ettin^ a position in one of the best shops in that city.
Being anxious to learn all he could in reg^ii-d to horse-shoe-
ing- he worked for three dollars a week, and paid three dol-
lars and a half a week for his board, but while working in
this shop he made rapid advances in the art of horse-shoe-
ing.

By a happy circumstance he made the acquaintance of
Pi'ofs. Rockwell and Hurlburt, the former the inventor of
the celebrated Rockwell Bit. Both these gentlemen wei'e
expert horse trainers. Mr. Rich worked for them for fifty
cents a day. He had shod horses then for about ten years,
but notwithstanding all this experience he could only make
one kind of shoe, and fully realized that he had a great deal
yet to learn about horse-shoeing.

When Mr. Rich first began woi-k for Rockwell and Hurl-
burt they insisted upon his studying the anatomy and
structure of the horse's foot, claiming that he could not
shoe horses properly without understanding all about the
foot he was manipulating. Of course it was very hard
work, and he thought it more of a nuisance than anything
else, but Prof. Rockwell insisted that he would not be fit to
shoe a horse until he had mastered all these points. Be-
foi'e hii left Mr. Rockwell he was getting three dollars a
day, Avhich was quite an improvcMueiit over the fifty cents a
day with which he had stai'ted.

Mr. Rockwell taught him how to make ([uite a nuinl)er of
different kinds of shoes for different diseases of the foot.
He has kept adding to thc^se, foi- diMVi-ent purposc^s, until
now he makes fifty-tlii-ee dilferent kinds of shoes, each one

INTRODUCTION. <

adapted to some different condition of the foot, and design-
ed either for curing- some disease or for correcting some
fault in gait.

During the past five years Mr. Rich has shod, probably,
twenty-five hundred horses of all kinds, sound, lame and
crippled .

He is now traveling, accompanied by several assistants,
giving lectures in important towns in New York State
and Penns3dvania. After explaining in one of his lectures
all about the structure of the foot and how horses ought to
be shod, he is called upon to shoe a great many horses who
have been more or less injured by bad shoeing, and in near-
ly every instance he succeeds in accomplishing what is
regarded by ordinary blacksmiths as wonders.

Of course he has now reached a point where he is,
pecuniarily speaking, doing- well, but he derives full as
much satisfaction from the knowledge that his efforts to
ameliorate the condition of that noble animal, the horse, are
appreciated, as from an^' gain which comes to him from his
work. He is acting in the capacity of a missionar}^
among horse-shoers, and is teaching hundreds of them,
who have previously had but crude notions about the art,
how to shoe horses artistically and scientifically.

Artistic Horse-shoeing,

CHAPTER I.

ANCIENT HORSE-SHOEING.

Horse-shoeing- has been practiced in one form or another
ever since the horse in remote ages was tamed and sub-
dued for the uses of man. At first the shoes were doubt-
less constructed of raw hides, and extended sufficiently
high on the hoof to admit of being fastened around it in
some way. When man learned to convert iron ore into
iron that, by the aid of fire, could be forged into Rny shape
desired, it soon occurred to some inventive mind that shoes
might be fashioned of iron and nailed to the horse's foot in
some way. The man to conceive the idea of nailing shoes
to the feet Avas doubtless the first one who had ever under-
taken to study the anatomy of the foot. The idea, perhaps,
may have been suggested by examining some old foot that
in the process of decay of the animal to which it belonged,
had naturally, on account of its hard substance, survived
longer than the flesh or even the bones. This primitive
anatomist saw that if care were taken a nail could be
driven into the hoof without touching any sensitive point.

10

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

and then if this nail was clinched it would hold the iron
shoe on the foot. No improvement over this system of
fastening- has been made, but vast improvements have been
made in the nails by which the shoes are driven on, and
also in the shoes themselves.

The horse, in a state of nature, requires no shoes.
The natural growth of the hoof is sufficient to take the
place of any ordinary Avear, such as a horse would be
subjected to in the process of hunting for its food in a wild

Fig. 1.— Ancient Arabian Shoe. Fig. 2.— Modeiin Arabian Shoe.

state. When brought into the service of man, and com-
pelled to use his feet on hard roads or pavements, the hoof
of course naturally wears away rapidly. To prevent this
wear the horse is shod, and the original idea of a shoe was
simply to prevent the hoof wearing away.

To give the reader of this volume an opportunity to com-
pare modern horse-shoes with man's first idea of a horse-
shoe we present herewith several illustrations of shoes such
as the Arabs and other European nations used centuries

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

11

ag-0. Fig-. 1 shows an ancient Arabian shoe, Avhile Fi^. 3
shows a modei-n Arabian shoe. It will be seen that very
little progress has apparently been made in the East in
shoeing- horses since iron was first introduced for horse-

FiG. 3.— Showino the Method of
Fastening Arabian Shoes to the
Foot.

Fig. 4.— Modern Portuguese
Horse-shoe.

Fig. 5.

-Modern Persian
Horse-shoe.

Fig. 6.— Modern Moorish
Horse-shoe.

shoes. These Arabian shoes are simply pieces of sheet-
iron stamped out to conform to a special pattern. The
method of fastening- these shoes to the feet, will be found
illustrated in Fig-. 3. E^en at this time the Moors, Per-
sians and Portuguese use forms of horse-shoes in no essen-
tial particular an improvement over the ancient Ax^ibian

12

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

shoes. Fig. 4 represents a modern Portuguese shoe. Fig.
5 a Persian shoe, Avhile Fig. 6 shows a Moorish shoe. An
inspection of these crude specimens of horse-shoes will be
likel\^ to suggest to the thoughtful reader that the people
of the East are by no means either inventive or progres-
sive. Placed alongside of modern horse-shoes these ancient
samples present a rather sorry appearance. In Fig. 7 wull

Fig. 7.— Old English .Shoe in Use in the 18th Century.

be seen the form of the old English horse-shoe used,
according to Ma^iiew, an English authority, at the com-
mencement of the 18th century. In comparison with the
Arabian and Moorish or Persian shoes this old English
shoe presents several important improvements. Instead of
being fastened by the method employed by the Arabs the
old English shoe was evidently nailed on the foot the same
as shoes are fastened on now. But to the horse-shoer of
that time it appeared necessai'.\' to employ many more nails
than are now considered essential.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 13

CHAPTER II.

ANATOMY OF THE FOOT.

If shoeing" is not properly done it produces many diseases
of the foot.

It is easilj^ possible to ruin a g-ood horse in a very short
time by bad shoeing-. It is also possible when a horse is
lame from any cause to, in a measure, remove this lameness,
and sometimes to entirely cure it by proper shoeing. No
man can shoe a horse properly who does not understand
all about the anatomical construction of his feet and legs.
He must know how many bones there are in the foot, exact-
ly where they are located, and what their uses are.

How many blacksmiths or horse-shoers are sufficiently
familiar with the foot of a horse to describe the location of
the different bones and give their technical names ? It is
safe to predict that only a small percentage could accom-
plish this feat, simple as it is.

We frequently hear horse-shoers claiming to understand
the art in all its bearings, who could not even describe the
shape of the coffin-bone, or tell where it was located. The
author does not propose in this treatise to go into an ex-
tensive explanation of the anatomy of the foot, his object
simply being to describe the different bones and tendons in
such a way that the whole matter may be easily compre-
hended by anybody.

14 ARTISTIC HORSE -SHOEING.

As the work of the shoer is confined solely to the hoof it
is essential that he should understand its construction. It
consists first of the Wall or Crust, the Sole, Frog- and
coronary Frog" Band.

The Wall is that portion of the front and sides of the
foot from the coronet to the ground. It is through the wall
that the shoer drives his nails, and it is upon the wall that
the shoe rests.

Fleming, a noted authority on horse-shoeing, says in his
description of the wall : " The inner face of its upper edge
is hollowed out in a somewhat wide concavity which
receives, or rather in which rests, the coronary cushion.
This concavity is chiefly remarkable for being pierced
ever^^wiiere by countless minute openings which penetrate
the substance of the wall to a considerable depth. Each of
these perforations receives one of the * villi ' or minute tufts of
blood vessels already mentioned as prolonged from the face
of the membrane covering the interior of the foot. Below
this concavity, which receives a large share of the horse's
weight, the wall is of about equal thickness from top to
bottom. On the whole of its inner surface are ranged
thin, narrow, vertical, horny plates, in number correspond-
ing to tlie vascular laminae, between which they are so inti-
mately received or dove-tailed (a horn^^ leaf between two
vascular ones) that in the living or llesh sides it is almost
impossible to disunite without tearing them. The inner
face of the lower margin is united in a solid manner to the
horny sole through the medium of a narrow band of soft,
light colored liorn, situated between the two, which we may
call the 'white line' or 'zone.' "

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

15

The dimensions of the wall vary in different situations.
In front it is deepest, but toward the quarters and heels it
diminishes and becomes thinner; at its ang:les of inflection
(the points of the heels) it is strong-. This structure is
fibrous, the fibres pass direct!}^ parallel to each other frmn
the coronet to the gTOund, each fibre being- moulded on, as
it is secreted, by one of the minute tufts of blood vessels
lodg-ed in the cavity at the coronet.

Fig-. 8 shows the different kinds of horn of which the
horse's hoof is made up. a, a, is the wall: the outer or dark

Fig. 8.

porti()n constitutes the crust of the wall; 6, is the lig-ht col-
ored or yielding- horn of the sole; c, is the elastic horn of
the frog-.

Next we have to consider the Horny Sole, and the same
authority describes it as bein^ ^'contained within the lower
marg'in of the wall and is a concave plate covering- the low-
er face of the pedal bone." In structure it is fibrous like the
wall, the fibres passing- in the same direction, and are form-
ed in the same manner by the tufts of blood vessels project-
ed from the membrane which immediately covers the bone.

16 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

These tufts penetrate the horny fibres the same depth as
in the wall, maintaining" them in a moist, supple condition,
such as best fits them for their oflice. The sole is thickest
around its outer border where it joins the wall, thinnest in
the centre, where it is most concave. A peculiarity of this
part of the hoof is its tendency to break oft" in flakes on
the ground face when the fibres have attained a certain
leng'th. The wall, on the contrary, continues to grow in
length to an indefinite extent, and unless kept within rea-
sonable dimensions by continual wear or the instruments
of the farrier, would in time acquire an extraordinary dis-
tortion.

The Horny Sole for this reason is less dense and resist-
ing than that of the '' Wall," and is designed more to sup-
port weight than to stand wear.

The same authority, in describing the Horny Frog, states
that it ^' is an exact reduplication of that within the hoof
described as the sensitive or fatty frog. It is pyramidal
in shape, and is situated at the back part of the hoof Avithin
the bars, with its point of apex extending forward to the
centre of the sole, and its base or thickest portion fill-
ing up the wide space left between the inflexions of the
wall. In the middle of tlie posterior part is a cleft, which
in the healthy state should not be deep, but rather shallow
and sound on its surface.

^^In structure, this body is also fibrous, the fibres pass-
ing in the same direction as those of the other portions of
the hoof ; but, instead of being quite rectilinear like them,
they are wav^^ or flexuous in their course, and present some
microscopical peculiarities which, though interesting to the

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. IT

comparative anatomist, need not be alluded to here. The
fibres are finer than those of the sole and wall, and are
composed of cells arrang-ed in the same manner as else-
where in the hoof ; they are formed b^^ the villi which thickly
stud the face of the membrane covering- tlie sensitive frog.

"The substance of the horny frog is eminently elastic,
and corresponds in the closest manner to the dense, elastic,
epidermic pads on the soles of the feet of such animals as
the camel, elephant, lion, bear, dog, cat, etc., and which
are evidently' designed for contact with the ground, the
support and protection of the tendons that flex the foot, to
facilitate the springy movements of these creatures, and
for the prevention of jar and injury to the limbs.

"In the horse's foot, the presence of this thick, com-
pressible, and supple mass of horn at the back of the hoof,
its being in a healthy unmutilated condition, and permitted
to reach the ground while the animal is standing or
moving, are absolutel}^ essential to the well-being of that
organ, more especially should speed, in addition to weight-
carrying, be exacted.

" The frog, like the sole, exfoliates or becomes reduced in
thickness at a certain stage of its growth ; the flakes are
more cohesive than those of the sole.

" It must be remarked, however, that this exfoliation of
the sole and frog only takes place when the more recently-
formed horn beneath has acquired sufficient hardness and
densitN^ to sustain contract with the ground, and exposure
to the eft'ects of heat, dryness and moisture.

*'The 'Coronary Frog-Baud,' or 'PeriopJe,' is a con-
tinuation of the more superficial layer of the skin around

IS ARTISTIC HORSE -SHOEING.

the coiuiiet and heels, in the form of a thin, light-colored
band that descends to a variable depth on the outer surface
of the wall, and at the back part of the hoof becomes con-
solidated with the frog", with which it is identical in struct-
ure and texture. It can be readily perceived in the hoof
that has not been mutilated by the farrier's rasp, extend-
ing from the coronet, where the hair ceases, to some dis-
tance down the hoof ; it is thickest at the commencement of
the wall, and gradually thins away into the finest imagin-
able film as it approaches the lower circumference of this
part. When wet it swells and softens, and on being dried
shrinks, sometimes cracks in its more dependent parts, or
becomes scaly.

" The fibres composing it are very fine and wavy, as in
the frog ; they likewise spring from villi which project
from the true skin immediately above the ' coi'onar^^ cush-
ion.'

'' The use of this band would to be tAvofold : it connects
the skin with the hoof, and thus makes the union of these
two dissimilar textures more complete, its intermediate
degree of density and its great elasticity admirably fitting
it for this office ; and it acts as a covering or protection to
the wall at its upper part, where this is onlj^ in process of
formation, and has not sufficient resistance to withstand
the effects of exposure to the weather. The greatest thick-
ness and density of the band correspond to the portion of
the wall in which the villi or vascular tufts are lodged, and
here the horn is soft, delicate, and readily' acted upon in an
injurious manner, by external influences.

*' Thus far, then, we have rapidly glanced at the anat-

ARTISTIC HORSE- SHOEING. 19

ouiy and uses of the Vcirious parts enteriii*^' into the com-
position of the horse's foot, and its horny box — the hoof.
It may be necessary, before we pass to the consideration of
the latter, as a whole, to allude to the structure and uses
of that narrow strip of horn, whose presence ever^' fari'ier
or veterinary" surgeon is cog'nizant of, but whose character
and functions have been strangely left out of consider-
ation by all anatomists hitherto. I refer to the ' white
line' or *zone,' the slender intermediate band that runs
around tlie mai'gin of the sole, and connects that plate of
horn so closely to the wall as to make their union particu-
larly solid and complete. When preparing- the border of
the hoof for the reception of the shoe, this part is easily
distinguished by its lighter color (in a dark hoof), and by
its being softer and more elastic than either the sole or
wall, between which it is situated. It w^ould appear to
be secreted by the villi which terminate the lower end of
the \ascular laminse, and the horny leaves of the wall are
also received into its substance — a circumstance that ren-
ders the junction of the two more thorough. I think there
can be no doubt that the principal use of this elastic rim of
horn placed in such a situation, is to obviate the danger of
fracture to which the inferior part of the hoof — particular-
ly the sole — would be liable, if the junction between the
hard and comparatively inelastic sole and Avail was direct-
ly effected without the interposition of such a body.

*'It may be noted, that it is through this soft border of
horn that gravel and foreign matters usually find their
way to the sensitive parts of the foot, and there excite such
an amount of irritation as to lead to the formation of

20 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

matter, and cause much pain and lameness; an accident
wliicii the older farriers termed 'g-ravelling-.'

"In viewing- the horse's hoof as a whole, and in the un-
shod state, we find that it presents several salient charac-
teristics, the consideration of which ought to dominate or
serve as a guide in framing rules for the observance of far-
i-iers in the pi'actice of their art. The first of these is the
dii-ection in which the wall grows in a healthy condition.

" Viewed as it stands on a level surface, the hoof ma^^
said to be somewhat conical in shape, its upper jiart being
a little less than its base ; and although, geometrically, its
shape may be described as the frustum of a cone, the base
and summit of which have been cut by two oblique planes
— the inferior converging abruptly behind toward the su-
perior— yet the circumference of the hoof does not off ei- that
regularity which this description might imply; on the con-
tary, in a well-formed foot, Ave find that the outline of its
inferior or ground border is notably more salient on the
outer than the inner .side, giving it that appearance which
has been designated the ' spread.'

" A cone being intersected by two planes oblique to its
axis, and not parallel to each other, gives a good idea,
nevertheless, of the obliquit^Mvhich foi'ms so marked a feat-
ure in the hoof. The degree of obliquity of the front part
or toe, and of the upper surface, varies with the amount of
growth ; but where this has been counterbalanced by a
proper degree of wear, it will be remaiked that this obliqui-
ty corresponds to the inclination of the pastern-bones im-
mediately' above the hoof, when the horse is standing*.

*' It will be obvious that this inclmation also varies with

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 21

the breeding' of the aiiiiiial, and the conformation of the
limbs ; so that no definite degree can be assigned. But it
must be pointed out, that giving the angle of 45°, as is
done in almost every treatise on shoeing and the anatomy
of the foot, is a grave error. Looked at in profile, a hoof
with this degree of obliquity would at once be pronounced
a deformity, and if the farrier were to attempt to bring
every foot he shod to this standard, he would inflict serious
injury, not only on the foot itself, but also on the back ten-
dons and the joints of the limbs. Careful measurement
Avill prove that the obliquity of the front of the hoof is
rarely, if ever, in a well-shaped leg or foot, above 50°, and
that it is, in the great majority of cases, nearer 56°. The
sides or ^quarters' of the wall are less inclined — though the
outer is generall^^ more so than the inner; while the heels
are still more vertical, and the inner may even incline
slightly inward. Viewed in profile, the posterior face of
the hoof will be observed to have the same degree of slope
as the front face. In height, the heels are usually a little
more than one-half that of the toe ; both heels are equal in
lieight.

" These features, as will be seen hereafter, are sufficient-
ly important to be constantl}^ remembered. The other
characteristics are to be found on the lower or ground face
of the hoof — the most important, so far as the farrier's art
is concerned.

"In a natural condition, the whole, or nearly the Avliole
of this face comes into contact with the ground, each part
participating more or less in sustaining- the weight thrown
upon the limb. On soft or uneven soil, the entire lower

±2 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

boick'r of the wall, the sole, bars, and troij;', are subjected
to contact ; Nature intended them to meet the gTound, and
there sustain the animal's weight, as well as the force of
its impelling- powers. But on hard or rocky land with a
level surface, only the dense, tough crust and bars, the
thick portion of the sole surrounded b^^ them, and the elas-
tic, retentive frog, meet the foi'ce of the weight and move-
ment ; and, in both cases, not only with impunit^^ but with
advantage to the intei'ior of the foot, as well as the limb.
The lioi'u on this face is, as has been said, dense, tough,
and springy to a degi'ee varying with the parts of which it
is composed; Avhile its fibres are not only admirably dis-
posed to support weight, secure a firm grasp of the ground
and aid the movements of the limbs, but are also an excel-
lent medium for modifying concussion or jar to the sensi-
tive and vascular structui'e in their vicinity.

*' The wiiole cii'cumference of the wall meets the ground,
and from the disposition of its fibres, the arrangement of
the cells which enter into their composition, and its rigid-
ity, it is admirably fitted to resist wear and sustain press-
ure. It projects more or less beyond the level of the sole,
and the space measured between the white zone within it
and its outer surface gives its exact thickness. This is a
fact not without interest to the farrier in the operation of
attaching the shoe by nails, as these have to be di'iven
only through this dense horn — which in good hoofs cannot
be said to much exceed half an inch in thickness — and in
proportion to its thinness is the necessity for carefulness
and address on his part, in oi'der to guard against wound-
ing or bruising the sensitive textures.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 23

*' The sole is more or less concave from its junction ^vitli
the wall ; nevertheless, even on moderately firm g-round, a
portion of its circumference, which is generally the thick-
ness of the wall, takes a share in relieving- the latter of
pressure. This is also a fact to be borne in mind. In soft
g-round, the whole of its lower surface is made to aid in
sustaining" the weight ^nd prevent the foot sinking-. But
it must be noted that the pressure of the lower face of the
pedal bone on the upper surface of the sole can never be
very great, else the sensitive membrane between them
would be seriously injured. This injur^^ is prevented by
the coronar}', and, to a lesser extent, by the plantar cush-
ion, which largely retard the descent of the bone on the
floor of the horn^^ box.

"The frog, on both hard and soft ground, is an essential
portion of the weight-bearing face. In the unshod, healthy
foot it alwa^'s projects beyond the level of the sole, and sel-
dom below that of the wall at the heels; indeed, it is found,
in the majority of hoofs, either on a level with the circum-
ference of this part, or be^^ond it, so that its contact with
the ground is assured. Hence its utilit}^ in obviating con-
cussion, supporting the tendons, and, on slippery ground,
in preventing falls. In pulling up a horse sharp]}^ in the
gallop, or in descending a steep hill, the frog, together with
the angular recess formed by the bar and wall at the heel
of the hoof, are eminentl}^ serviceable in checking the tend-
ency to slip; the animal instinctively^ plants the posterior
portions of the foot exclusively on the ground .

" Dark hoofs are generally the best ; they owe their color
to the presence of minute particles of black pigment, which

24

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

Fig. 9.

ARTlStiC HORSE-SHOEING. 25

contains a notable proportion of iron, and are somewhat
resisting- and indestrnctible.

*' A good hoof should have the wall unbroken, its outer
face smooth and even ; the angle at the front not less than
50° — the lower or ground face of the front hoof should be
nearly circular in outline — the sole slightly concave at the
circumference, deeper at the centre; the border of the wall
ought to be thick at the toe, gradually thinning toward
the heels, but at the inflexion or commencement of the bar
a strong mass of horn should be found ; the bars should be
free from fracture, and the frog moderately developed, firm
and solid.

'^The hind foot should possess the same soundness of
horn, though it ditTers from the fore hoof in being more
oval in outline from the toe to the heels ; the sole is also
more concave, the frog smaller, and the heels not so high.
The horn is usually less hard and resisting— a circum-
stance perhaps due to the hind feet being more frequently
exposed to humidity in the stable than the fore ones."

VIEW OF THE BONES OF THE FOOT.

Fig. 9 shows a foot from which the skin and flesh liave
been taken and gives a view of the exact location of the
bones. A, represents the upper pastern ; B, the lower past-
ern ; and Cthe coffin-bone.

Now in order that all the bones and joints should work
properly it is necessary to keep the foot at an angle of about
50 to 5G degrees. If we get the heel too high it is just as
bad as it is to get it too low. Therefore particular pains

26

ARTISTIC HORSESHOEING.

Fig. 10.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 27

should be taken in leveling" the foot in all cases so as not to
allow the horse to rock one way or the other.

SECTIONAL VIEW OF FOOT AND LEG.

Fig". 10 represents a sectional view of the foot and a por-
tion of the leg" of a horse. A, shows the cannon-bone at the
fetlock joint; B, is the upper pastern ; while C, is the coro-
nary or lower pastern bone ; Z>, is the coffin-bone ; E, the
navicular or nut bone; F, represents one of, the sesamoid
bones ; G, the sensitive frog ; H, the sensitive sole ; I, the
horny sole ; J, the outside crust or wall ; K, the sensitive
laminae ; L, the main cord or tendon that runs up and down
the back of the leg ; 31, shows the tendon of the extensor
muscle of the foot and coronary" bones. It can be readily
seen by a careful examination of this illustration that it
is absolutel}^ necessary to keep the foot at a certain angle
or slant, somewhere between 50 and 56 degrees, in order
that the joints may perform their offices properly.

DISSECTED LEG OF A HORSE.

Fig". 11 shows a foot and portion of the leg dissected, all
the hair and flesh being removed so as to show the tendons,
arteries and blood vessels, ilf, is the main cord or tendon
that runs up and down the back of the leg; iV, is the ex-
tensor muscle of the foot ; O, shows the lateral cartilages,
while P represents the plantar nerve. The lower il/ shows
the sensitive laminae, while L represents the outside crust
or wall.

28

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

Fig. 11.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 29

CHAPTER III.

HOW THE HOOF GROWS.

In any treatise on shoeing-, the growth of the hoof can-
not be left out of consideration, as on it the foot, in an un-
shod condition, depends for an efficient protection, while
without this process the farrier's art w^ould quickly be of
no avail.

In its unarmed state, the hoof being" exposed to contin-
ual wear on its lower surface, from contact with the
g-round on which the animal stands or moves, is unceasing"-
ly regenerated by the living* tissues within. We have al-
ready referred to the special apparatus which is more im-
mediately concerned in this work of regeneration, and
pointed out that the wall with the laminae on its inner
face * is formed from the coronary cushion at the upper
part of the foot ; the sole from the living- membrane cover-
ing' the lower face of the pedal bone ; and the frog from the
plantar cushion. It has been also mentioned that this
dead horny envelop, instead of being merely in juxtaposi-
tion with this exquisitely sensitive secretory membrane, is
ever^^ where penetrated to a certain depth on its inner face

* It is generally stated that the horny leaves are formed by the sensi-
tive ones, with which they are in such close union. That this is an
error, the microscope, physiology, and pathological experience,
abundantly testify.

30 ARTISTIC HORSE- SHOEING.

(with the exception of the portion of the wall covered with
the horny leaves) by multitudes of minute processes named
villi, which are not only concerned in the g-rowth of the
horn-fibres, acting- as moulds for them, and endowing the
hoof with that degree of lightness, elasticity, and tough-
ness, which are so necessary to its efficiency, but also make
this insensitive case a most useful organ of touch.

The growth of the horn takes place by the deposition
of new^ material from the secreting surface ; this deposi-
tion is effected at the commencement or root of the fibres ;
where the horn is yet soft, and its incessant operation
causes these fibres to be mechanically extended or pushed
dow^iw^ard toward the ground in a mass. Once formed
they are submitted to no other change than that of becom-
ing denser, harder, less elastic, and drier, as they recede
farther from the surface from w^hich the^^ originated.

So regulated is this growth, generall^^ in every part of
the hoof, that it would appear that the secreting mem-
brane is endowed with an equal activity thi^oughout.

But, thoug-h this equality in the amount of horn secreted
over so wide a surface is an undoubted fact, yet it must
not be forgotten that, under the influence of certain condi-
tions, the growth or descent of the corneous material may
be effected in an irregular manner, either through a partic-
ular portion of the secretory apparatus assuming- a more
energetic activity, or being hindered more or less in its
function.

For instance, the way in which the foot is planted on the
ground has a most marked influence, not only on the amount
of horn secreted, but also on that subjected to wear.

ARTISTIC HORSE- SHOEING. 31

When the superincumbent weight is equally distributed
over the lower face of the hoof, the foot may be said to be
properly placed as a basis of support to the limb. But
when, throug-h mismanagement or defective form, this base
is uneven — one side higher than the other, for example —
the weight must fall on the lowest part to a greater degree
than the highest ; thus causing not only disturbance in the
direction of the limb and its movements, but considerably
modifying the growth of the horn. This growth is dimin-
ished at the part subjected to most pressure — in all pro-
bability from the smaller quantity of blood allowed to be
circulated through the secretor^^ surface ; while to the side
which is subjected to the least compression, the blood is
abundantly supplied, and the formation of the horn is con-
sequently augmented. This is a fact of much importance
and practical interest in farriery, as it demonstrates that
any irregularity in the distribution of the w^eight of the
body has a prejudicial effect on the secreting apparatus of
the organ, and, as a result, on the form of the hoof.

When the weight is evenly imposed on the foot, this
apparatus, being uniformly compressed throughout its ex-
tent, receives everywhere an equal quantity of the horn-
producing material.

It is the same with the ivear of the hoof. A just dis-
position of the weight is a necessary condition of the regu-
larity of wear. While the animal is standing on unshod
hoofs, the wear of horn is slight ; it is in movement that it
becomes increased, and this increase is generally in pro-
portion to the speed, the weight carried, nature of the
ground, and whether its surface be wet or dry. Each por-

32 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

tion of the lower face of the hoof — wall, sole, bar, and frog
— should take its share of wear and strain ; but it will be
readily understood that this cannot be properly effected if
the weig-ht is thrown more upon one side than the other ;
tliat part which receives the larg-est share will be subjected
to the g'reatest amount of loss from wear, and this, with
the diminished secretion of horn, will tend to distort the
foot and limb still more.

In a well-formed leg and foot the degrees ot resistance
of the different parts of the hoof are so well apportioned to
the amount of wear to be sustained, that all are equally re-
duced by contact with the ground, and the whole is main-
tained in a perfect condition as regards growth and wear.

The amount of growth, even in a Avell-proportioned
foot, varies considerably in different animals, according to
the activity prevailing in, or the development of, the secret-
ing apparatus ; and in this respect the operations of the
farrier, as we will notice hereafter, are not without much
influence.

It may be laid down as a rule, that the horn grows
more rapidly in warm dry climates, tlian in cold wet ones ;
in healtliy energetic animals, than in those which are soft
and weakly ; during exercise, than in repose ; in young,
than in old animals. Food, labor and shoeing, also add
their influence ; while the seasons are to some extent con-
cerned in the growth and shape of the hoof. In winter
it widens, becomes softer, and grows but little ; in sum-
mer it is condensed, becomes more rigid, concave, and
resisting, is exposed to severer wear, and grows more
rapidly ; this variation is a provision of Nature to enable

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 33

the hoof to adapt itself to the altered conditions it has
to meet : hard horn to hard ground, soft horn to soft
ground.

In this way we can account for the influence of locality
upon the shape of the foot. On hard, dry ground, the hoof
is dense, tenacious, and small, with concave sole, and a
little but firm frog ; in marshy regions, it is large and
spreading, the horn soft and easily destro^'ed by wear, the
sole thin and flat, and the frog an immense spongy mass
which is badly fitted to receive pressure from slightly
hardened soil. In a dry climate, we have an animal small,
compact, wiry, and vigorous, traveling on a surface which
demands a tenacious hoof, and not one adapted to prevent
sinking ; in the marshy region Ave have a large, heavy,
lymphatic creature, one of whose primary requirements
is a foot designed to travel on a soft yielding surface.
Change the respective situations of these two horses, and
Nature immediately begins to transform them and their
feet. The light, excitable, vigorous horse, with its small
vertical hoofs and concave soles, so admirably disposed to
traverse rocky and slippery surfaces, is physically incom-
petent to exist on low-lying swamps ; while the unwieldy
animal, slow-paced and torpid, with afoot perfectly adapt-
ed to such a region — its ground face being so extensive and
flat that it sinks but little, and the frog developed to such
a degree as to resemble a ploughshare in form, which gives
it a grip of the soft, slippery ground— is but indifferently
suited for traveling on a hard, rugged surface. In pro-
cess of time, however, the small concave hoof expands and
flattens, and the large flat one gradually becomes concen-

34 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

trated, hardened, and hollow, to suit the altered physical
conditions in which the^^ are placed.

The degree of health possessed by the horn-secreting
apparatus at any time has also much to do with its activity
in generating- new material. When its blood-vessels be-
come congested or contracted from some cause or other,
its function is in a proportionate degree suspended, and the
hoof grows in an irregular manner, and may be altered in
thickness, texture, and quality.

In the ordinary conditions of town work and stable
management, I have observed that the wall of a healthy
foot — its chief portion, so far as farriery is concerned —
grows down from the coronet at the rate of about one-
quarter of an inch per month, and that the entire wall of a
medium-sized hoof has been regenerated in from nine to
twelve meonths.

The process of g-rowth can be g-reatly accelerated and
exaggerated by irritating the surface which throws out the
horn material. Thus a blister, hot iron, or any other
irritant or stimulant applied to this part, will induce not
only a more rapid formation, but one in which increased
thickness is a marked feature.

ARTISTIC HOKSE-SHOEIXG. 35

CHAPTER IV.

HORSE-SHOEING TO PREVENT OR CURE LAMENESS OR CORRECT
FAULTY ACTION.

LEVELING PLATE.

Every horse-slioer oug-ht to have a leveling- plate. I use
a piece of marble say twelve inches square and two inches
thick. After the shoe has been fitted to the foot I then heat
it. By gentlj^ hammering it on the marble slab I make it
perfectly level. A great many heat th'^ shoe hot and then
by applying it to the foot it is -easy to see exactly which
portion of the hoof needs to come off. I never put a hot
shoe near the foot. After the shoe is made level on the
marble slab I then make the foot level to correspond.

FORGING.

This is a very bad habit. A horse that forges continually
is not regarded as very valuable. It is not particularly
troublesome to overcome this habit. There are many dif-
ferent ideas on the subject, however. I have had horsemen
come into my shop and say to me, ''If you put the front
shoes on too long the horse will pull them off." I know of
a good man}' horses that I have ruined, before I learned any
better, by putting the shoes on too short. When too short
in the first place they become still shorter of course after the
shoes are reset. Now does it look reasonable that we ought

B6 ARTISTIC HORSE -SHOEING.

to cripple our horses in their front feet by short shoes in
order to keep the hind feet from striking* ? Let us try to
tind out what forging- is anyhow. It is simply that the
horse has more action behind than in front. The hind feet
are thrown forward and strike the front feet before they
can get out of the way. Obviously the only way to over-
come this trouble is to increase the action of the horse in
front and retard it behind. To do this I use a heavy toe-
weight shoe on the front foot to make the horse reach
farther. After the front shoe has been nailed on, take a
rule and measure the distance from the coronet to the
bottom part of the toe. Also observe the slant of the front
toot. Then measure the hind foot the same way and it will
be found in most cases that the hind foot is from i to 1
inch the shortest. The sh'orter the foot the quicker it can
be raised of course. 'Now I place my shoe on the hind foot
so that the toe will project enough to make the distance
from the coronet to the bottom of the shoe the same as the
distance from the coronet to the bottom of the shoe on the
front foot. The longer the hind foot is the longer time it
takes for the horse to raise it in traveling. To set the
shoe back on the hind foot onl^^ makes the horse forge
all the more, for he is able to get his hind foot up much
quicker than his front foot. Then if you let the shoe
extend out pretty well behind and make the projecting
portion prett}^ heav^' it will tend to delay the action of the
feet behind and prevent the horse raising his feet so high,
and if lie does not raise his feet so high he will not of
course throw them so far forward and your object is
accomplished.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 3T

TO SHOE A KNEE-SPRUNG HORSE OR A KNUCKLER.

The difficulties above mentioned are brought on by using-
too short shoes. They may also be produced in other
ways. I think many horse owners conti'ibute to bring
about these troubles by permitting the shoes to remain on
too long. Some people will never get a horse shod until
the shcTes drop otf, on account of the expense. It thus
happens that in many cases the shoes remain on the feet,
six, eight or twelve weeks. Of course the foot grows out
long Tnd in climbing over this long toe with a large toe-
calk on the shoe the horse strains the cords and tendons of
the leg and when you stop him he will '' go over a little"
as it is termed. A horse does this to ease the strain on the
cords of his leg and he will keep doing it more and more as
long as the trouble exists. After a while the cords con-
tract, and, failing to resume their natural position the
horse is knee-sprung or knuckled. It is very hard to cure
a knee-sprung horse, but they can be helped very much. I
dress the foot perfectly level as in all other cases and make
a good long shoe, one that will run out behind the foot say
one or two inches. Put on a small heel-calk with no
toe-calks. Nearly all horse owners when tkey think a
horse's legs are strained use some strong Uniment or a
blister. In all cases of this sort there is a great deal
of fever in the legs and we want to take out the fever,
not put on something that will create more. Further
along in this work a recipe will be found for a prepara-
tion for sprains, soreness of the tendons or any enlarge-
ment of the leg.

38 ARTISTIC HORSE -SHOEING.

FITTING THE SHOE TO THE FOOT.

This is one of the most important points in liorse-shoeing*.
In traveling" about giving- instruction to all classes of
people, I have found a great many so-called liorse-shoers
who had not worked at the trade more than six montlis
perhaps. Often as quick as a man gets so that he can
dress a foot or fit up a shoe he calls himself a good horse-
shoer and will start a shop. In order to secure work it is
necessary for such a man to put prices down ver3^ low. In
my experience I have found that two-thirds of the crippled
horses have been made so by just such horse-shoers as I
have described above. I call them horse-shoers for con-
venience only. Some of them will never be horse-shoers.
Nevertheless they think when they put a shoe on, it is as
good work as anybody can do, and usually such men are
very much averse to learning how to shoe. I commenced
helping my father at the forge when only eleven 3^ears old
and have worked at the trade ever since, and I think it safe
to say that I shod hoi^ses fully twenty" years before I really
knew an3^thing about it. Now somebody will ask, how it is
possible that you could work so long' without knowing
anything about horse-shoing. It is simply because I knew
it all in the first place. I knew so much that I did not
want to be told anything, and so Avent on year after year
in the same old rut doing more hai'm than good all the
time.

After I had been compelled to pay for three valuable
horses I spoilt by bad shoeing, it occui'i'cd to me I did not
know as much as I thought I did. Then I invested ever^^

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 39

dollar I was worth and made an effort to learn how to shoe
horses. I soug'ht the best instructors I could hear of and
found out that I had been all wrong- in what I had been
doing-.

No man should be permitted to shoe a horse who has not
passed an examination by a competent board appointed for
the purpose. He should be compelled to study the horse's
foot and understand it before being- permitted to set a shoe.

A great many horse owners ruin their horses by taking
them to men who know nothing whatever about the
anatoni}' of the foot. The main idea of the average horse
owner seems to be to seek out and patronize the man who
will shoe the cheapest and make the shoes stay the longest,
and the}' don't hesitate to call such a man a good horse-
shoer. Very few probably know that a valuable horse
may be completely' ruined by an incompetent man in two
or three shoeings. Some horses Avill stand poor shoeing
for quite a while, but in the end they are sure to be injured.

" No frog, no foot; no foot, no horse," is a true saying-.
I claim that no horse should go over four weeks without
having the shoes removed and the dry feverish growth of
the hoof rasped away; that portion that would Avear out
naturally if the horse was not shod at all.

GETTING THE ANGLE OF THE FOOT.

When I have a horse to shoe I tr\^ and ascertain the cor-
rect angle of the foot to start with. Then dress the foot
perfectly level in all cases, aiming not to have one side any
higher than the other. I do not cut awa^' the bars or
braces as I did in the days gone by, neither do I cut the

40 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

frog", which is the natural cushion of the foot, taking" off the
the concussion caused by the striking of the foot on the
ground. In the natural state the frog is shed every three
months and should not he cut at all. If cut the pores will
open and the natural moisture is permitted to dr3^ out and
the frog becomes hard. Cutting the frog will injure the
growth of the foot materially. I never touch the fro^
except to cut off the ragged edges as they are being shed.
The nearer the frog can come to the ground the better.

When large calks are used and the foot raised from the
ground all the bearing on the frog is removed, causing- the
foot to draw up, the heels to draw in, and in a short time
you have a bad case of contraction on hand.

In taveling about I have a wagon that with its contents
weighs not less than 4,800 lbs., and this is pulled over hills
and the roughest country roads without any calks on the
front feet of my horses. The front feet of a horse act very
much as the forward trucks of a locomotive. They carry
about two-thirds of a horse's weight. The hind feet and
legs are the propelling power which throws the animal
forward when in motion.

If calks are desired they should be put on the hind feet.
I never put on a hind shoe without a little heel calk. It
helps take the strain off the tendons. If a flat shoe is used
in front it can be made shorter when calked. If flat let the
shoe extend back as far as the crust of the hoof. When
the shoe is flat it permits the frog to come to the g-round
and all the cords and tendons of the leg are receiving their
proper support. If Ave put on calks and take the frog-
away from the ground it will be necessary to make the shoe

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

41

at least from one-half to one inch long-er. If this is not
done the horse will have a tendency to rock back and then
this causes knee springing- or knuckling*.

Short shoes are a g-reat mistake in shoeing- horses with
calks.

BAR SHOE.

Fig-. 12 shows a bar shoe which is the nearest approach to

Fig. 12.— Bar Shoe.

nature in my opinion that we can g-et. When no shoes are
used the weig-ht of the animal comes largely on the frog-
which, as is well known, acts as a sort of cushion to relieve
the pressure on the foot. When a bar shoe is used in shoe-
ing, the bar presses on the fi'og- and we g-et practically the

42 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

same effect as though the horse were traveling without
shoes.

I suppose that I had shod horses for twenty years, more
or less, before I knew why bar shoes were necessar3\ Of
course when a man makes and applies a shoe which he does
not know the use of, he naturally is liable to many faults in
construction. Some people condemn bar shoes but it is be-
cause they do not know their uses, or how to make them, or
how to put them on.

A man must know in the first place that the hoi'se
brought to him to be shod needs a bar shoe. He must un-
derstand the exact condition that the foot is in and what
sort of a bar shoe is best for that particular condition.
Sometimes we find horses with soft frogs and in other cases
they have hard frogs. Now formerl^^ I did not know but I
could put on a bar shoe as well with a hard frog as with a
soft frog. Right here let me explain the secret of success
with bar shoes. If the frog is soft so that you can move it
easil}^ with your hands it will bear all the pressure which
you can get from the bar shoe, but if it is dried up and hard
it will not do to apply a bar shoe until some measures have
been taken to soften the frog, otherwise the pressure on the
hard fr-og will be so strong as to push the frog up into the
sensitive portion of the foot and lame the horse. Of course
the object of a bar shoe in all cases is to remov^e the bearing
from the heels where there is tenderness arising either from
corns or from hard pounding on pavements or hard roads.

In cases where the frog is hard it can be softened by soak-
ing the feet for a time in warm water and applying warm
flaxseed meal poultices at night until the foot is brought

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 43

into its proper condition. I use this particular shoe for
all bad cases of contraction or where, as some shoers term
it, the foot is hoof hound. I rasp the points of the heels down
so that when the shoe is on there is a little space between the
heels and the shoe, the pressure of the bar coming- on the
frog-. When the horse steps the weight comes on the bar,
the bar presses on the frog and the frog will settle enough
to let the heels down easily upon the shoe. Under these
circumstances of course the heel will naturall}^ expand more
or less and the contraction after a time be relieved.

I am not in favor of artificial spreaders of any kind. I
believe the frog to be the best spreader in the world.

No clip is used whatever and in fact I have not put a clip
on any shoe in the last six years. Man}^ shoers seem to
think they cannot get along without using side clips and toe
clips. Wherever a clip is used it is necessar^^ of course, to
cut through the outside wall. The clip rests on the sensi-
tive laminae and ever^^ time a horse strikes anything hard
there is irritation of the blood vessels, arteries and nerves.
If we dress the foot perfectly level, fitting the shoes cold
and using a good nail there is no trouble in making them
stay on longer in fact than they ought to stay.

No horse should keep shoes on over four or five weeks at
the outside without having them removed and the dry fe-
verish overgi^owth cut aAvay.

TOE TIPS.

Fig. 13 represents a toe tip. This form of shoe comes
the nearest to nature of any one made. By its use it will
be seen that the quarters and frog come in contact with the

u

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

ground. I claim that the frog- is the best spreader of the
foot in the workl. I never use an 3^ artificial spreader de-
pending* entirely on the frog* to do the business. In all bad
cases of contraction either use the toe tip, the bar, or the
double half -bar, and let the frog- come in contact with the
ground. This shoe should be made of f-inch steel and as
thick towards the quarters as towards the toe. Be sure

Fig. 13.— Toe Tip.

and fit it to the foot. After it is fitted, mark just as far
back as it goes and notch in the hoof and set the tip in. By
this means the toe is kept down to the same level as the
heels and quarters. By slanting* the tip toAvards the heels
the toe is raised too high and lets the horse rock too far
back, straining the main cords and tendons and in a short
time the hoi\se will be knee-sprung.

I have used this toe tip right on tlie pavements in tlie
cities of Scranton, Philadeli)hia, BulTalo, Bing*hamton,New
York City, and in other places two numerous to mention,

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 45

with the most satisfactory results. Some horses will not
stand it, but others will.

HALF-BAR SHOE FOR THE FRONT FOOT.

Fig". 14 represents a half-bar shoe. This shoe can be made
from machine-made shoes sometimes, but g-enerally I turn

Fig. 14.— Half-Bar Shoe.

my own shoes. A, shows the point where the bend should
be made to form the half-bar. Shape the shoe so that the
half-bar will press on one-half of the frog'. In cases where
one quarter is broken down or wired in, this shoe can be
set to very great advantage. The other side of the shoe of
course should be shaped in the usual way.

In cases of bad quarter crack where the trouble is all on
one side I use this shoe. I also use it for bad cases of corns.

46 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

In shoeing" either for quarter cracks or corns I do not let
the quarters touch the shoe. When the quarter g-rows out
or the shoe has pressed down so that the quarter touches,
tlie shoe should be removed and a sufficient amount of hoof
removed to keep the shoe fi'oni touching- the quarter. Any

Fig. 15.— Toe- Weight Shoe.

quarter, crack or corn, can be removed if the pressure is
kept on the frog and away from the seat of disturbance.

TOE- WEIGHT SHOES.

Fig. 15 represents a shoe with a toe-weiglit. It is made
out of heavy iron, say one inch or ono-and-a-quarter inches
by one-and-a-half inches. Fuller at A to the thickness

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

47

you want, then draw out the heels as light as you wish
them to be.

I prefer this shoe to any toe-weight placed on the foot,
and I believe that the action of any horse can be increased
with this shoe, and the horse can be balanced quicker and
easier than by the toe-weights on the top of the foot.

Fig. 1G.— Toe- Weight Shoe (Concaved).

Some horse men object to having a horse carry the
weight in the shoe. Now reason will tell 3^ou if a horse
carries the weight continually he will get used to it and it
will not tire him or strain the cords of his legs ; but if we
give the horse all his Avork to do with light shoes and Avhen
we come to speed him, i)ut on extra weights on the top of

48 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

the foot he ma,y be able to go, say, a half mile all right, but
in trotting a full mile is liable to strain the cords of his legs,
because his muscle has not been cultivated up to the point
of carrying this extra weight successfully.

I consider this the best shoe ever made to balance the
action of pacers. Bj^ this I mean, if you want a pacer to
trot use this form of a toe- weight with a side- weight behind.
By shoeing in this way I can convert any pacer into a
trotter when it is thought desirable to do so. In man3^
cases heavy horses that pace can be made to trot faster
than they can pace. With light horses it often happens
that they can pace faster than they can trot, so that it is
not alwaj^s desirable to change their action.

Fig. 16 is a toe- weight shoe concaved on the ground sur-
face, the object being to prevent the horse from throwing
gravel in the eyes of the driver.

SHOE TO PREVENT INTERFERING.

Fig. 17 represents a front foot shoe for interfering horses.
There is no question in regard to stopping any interfering
horse with this shoe. The main secret in overcoming inter-
ference is to get a direct side weight. All the weight that
passes the point of the frog on the other side deadens the
weight we have on the outside and tends to overcome the
attempt to produce a side- weight shoe. This point should
be carefully remembered.

In making this shoe I take say, ten inches of iron for the
shoe and bring it out of the fire with one-half of it hot. I
use my fuller just half way, fullering down as thin as I
want it. Then with the hammer draw the inside web out.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 49

next bend the toe one-half and then ^-o back to the heav}^
side, finish, fuller, crease it and punch the holes. After
tliis return to the lig-ht side of the shoe and finish that.
This gives a direct side weight to the front foot.
With front foot shoes it is necessary to increase the web

Fig. 17.— Front Shoe for Interfering.

on the inside because we must have a wider web on the
inside than we do with hind foot shoes.

There is no guess work in regard to this shoe if you only
g-et weight enough. If you use one of these shoes and it
fails to prevent interfering all 3'ou have to do is to increase
the weight of the web until you get enough to overbalance
the foot and accomplish your purpose.

In case a horse swings and travels too wide in front I use

60 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

the same style of shoe, but put the weight on the inside. In
aU cases of ordinary interfering- the weight should be put on
the outside of the foot, with the exception of the shoe de-
scribed in Fig. 19.

HIND SHOE FOR INTERFERING.
Fig. 18 shows a hind shoe for interfering or widening the
action of a horse when it is inclined to rock or shuffle.

Fig. 18.— Hind Shoe for Interfering.

I use this shoe in all cases of interfering.

Be particular not to permit the side weight to run around
the point of the frog. If you try the shoes made in this way
and thej^ do not seem to accomplish the purpose desired,

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 51

increase the weight and keep on increasing until the action
desired is secured.

If the horse hitches or runs behind (sometimes called
single footing) use this shoe. If 3'ou get weight enough
you will stop him. It requires weight to balance any horse,
and when you get weight enough you will balance him.

Fig. 19.— Sede-Weight Shoe.
SIDE-WEIGHT SHOE.

Fig. 19 represents a side- weight shoe to be used in all
cases where horses have had a knee or ankle broken and
the legs bend in. Then the w^eight should be put on the in-
side on the crooked leg. This tends to throw^ the foot
inward and consequently to straighten the knee.

52 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

On the sound leg' I put the weight on the outside in all
cases. This shoe I have used with good results a g-reat
many different times.

SHOE FOR KNEE-KNOCKING.

Fig-. 20 shows a shoe with an outside weight extended

Fig. 20.— Shoe for Knee-Knocking.

around one-half of the foot. This shoe I use in bad cases of
knee-knocking. The illustration shows the ground surface
of the shoe made for the right front foot. As the horse
swings out and strikes this outside weig-ht the foot natur-
al! 3^ has a tendency to strike on the inside of the toe, which

ARTISTIC H0R8E-SH0EING. 53

it will be seen is not creased and has no nail holes. The
effect of this shoe is to make the horse carry his feet out-
ward and away from the other foot, preventing- the knock-
ing- of the knees together.

Make a little crease on the inside of the heel and use three
nails, as shown in Fig. 20.

Fig. 21.— SroE- Weight and Bar Combined.

The dotted lines show the position of the foot. All that
portion of the shoe outside the dotted lines of course will be
entirely outside of the foot.

I made the first one of these shoes that was ever made,
and have corrected more than one hundred cases of knee-
knocking horses. I have shod horses in twenty-one differ-

54 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

ent States and three Territories and never saw such a shoe
until I made it.
This shoe can be used with perfect safet3\

COMBINED SIDE-WEIGHT AND BAR.

Fig". 21 represents a side-weiglit and a bar combined. In

Fig. 33.— Four-Calk Shoe.

case your horse needs a bar shoe and you want to use a
side-weig-ht to widen his action or to stop him from inter-
fering, this shoe will accomplish the purpose, but be care-
ful and not let the side weight pass the front of the frog.
Keep the most of the weight on one side of tlie shoe and get
it on exactly opposite where the horse hits.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 55

You will never fail to correct a case of interfering- with
this shoe if you only have weig'ht enough.

FOUR-CALK SHOE FOR RING-BONES, SPAVINS, ETC.

Fig. 22 shows a four-calk shoe to be used on horses
having ring'-bones, curbs, spavins or sore tendons. In fact
this shoe may be used with almost any horse that is lame
and for whom it is painful to travel with a high toe-calk.
With the four-calk shoe the horse has a level foundation
and equal bearing, and Avhen he picks up his foot he has no
toe-calk to climb over, he simply rolls over the front calk
as it were.

A horse with ring-bones, curbs or spavins will hardly
limp with this style of shoe, where he can scarcely hobble
along on an ordinary three-calk shoe.

In all cases where anything is the matter with a horse's
foot I raise the heel more than I do the toe and oftentimes
no toe-calk at all is a g-reat deal better.

The closer we keep the foot to the ground the better it is
in all cases.

IMPROVED SHOE FOR TENDER FEET.

Fig. 23. Mr. Wm. H. Russell, the author of '' Scientific
Horse-Shoeing," first constructed and used this shoe. His
description of it is as follows: '• This shoe is made of steel
and is well concaved on the ground surface. The bars are
made so as to fit upon the bars of the foot and bear weight
as the unshod hoof does in a state of nature, preventing
bruises in the heels and quarter cracks. I have tested this

56 ARTISTIC HORSE- SHOEING.

shoe on horses that were quite sore and lame, successfully.
In making- this shoe the bars are sprung down from the
heel to their points on the ground surface about one-half
inch. The effect of this is to soften and mellow the jar. If
the shoe is well tempered it will allow the bars to spring with
the horse's weight, and will be found one of the best devices

Fig. 23.— Shoe for Tender Feet.

possible to relieve the effects of concussion in tender-footed
horses as well as to quicken the action in trotters, leaving
the frog firm and unimpaired to perform its important
functions of cushioning the foot and shielding the sensitive
parts from injury."

EXTENSION CALK SHOE.

Fig. 24 shows a three-calk shoe with an extension toe at
A, If the horse is inclined to pull his load from one out-

ARTISTIC HORSE- SHOEING.

57

side point of his toe, let the toe calk extend over as at ^.
Then Avhen the calk strikes at A it is necessary for the ani-
mal to settle square down on his feet and go directly over
at the toe.
In the case of a great many horses the outside quarters

Fig. 24.— Extension Calk Shoe.

and calk will wear off while the inside will wear very lit-
tle.

By the use of this kind of a shoe all this is prevented and
the horse must travel perfectly square, whether he is a
heavy draught horse or a light road horse.

58

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

FRONT FOOT FLAT SHOE.

Fig". 25 represents a flat front shoe made out of inch by
half-inch iron. Crease all around the toe.
This shoe is made perfectly flat on the ground surface

Fig. 35.— Front Foot Flat Shoe.

and is as good a shoe as can be used on front feet. The
nearer we keep the feet to the ground the better.

Pig. 26 represents the foot surface of the shoe shown in
Fig. 25, and also gives a clear idea of the concavity of this
side of the shoe.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

59

60

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

CONCAVE SHOE.

Fig". 27 represents a common front shoe concaved so as to
prevent picking- up gravel. The shoe is made from one
inch by one-half inch iron, or you can use any weight of

Fig. 28.— Shoe to Make a Horse Travel Square.

iron that may be needed. If the horse is quick of action
the use of this shoe will prevent his throwing g-ravel into
the face of the driver. It is also a g-ood shoe to prevent
the balling of snow in winter, as snow cannot stick to it
very well.

Fi;

SHOE TO MAKE A HORSE TRAVEL SQUARE.

IS represents a shoe designed to make any horse

travel square. Some horses travel all on one side and one

ARTISTIC HOKSE-SHOEING. 61

side of the foot does not seem to grow because the animal
strikes so hard on that side that it kills the growth of the
horn. In applying- this shoe first level the foot, of course
as near as possible. Then measure the slant of the foot
that goes the fastest, afterwards measure the slant of the

Fig. 29.— Shoe with Plate Attached.

other foot and you will find that it will be necessary to let
the shoe on the slow foot extend out on the side so as to
have the same bearing from the centre of the cofRn-bone on
both sides of the foot. Then make the shoe as shown
in Fig. 28 and you will have an equal bearing on both
sides.

62

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

SHOE, WITH PLATE ATTACHED, FOR DROPPED SOLES.

Fig". 29 represents a shoe with a plate fitted into it which
I use in all cases of dropped soles. The object of the plate
is to take all the bearing- off of the outer crust or wall. The
dropped sole occurs g-enerall^^ in large heavy horses. In
using ordinary shoes the concavity of the bearing surface
throws all the weig-ht upon the wall and very little of the
shoe touches the sole. The result of this is that the sole

Fig. 30,— Stifle Shoe.

keeps dropping down. In using- the shoe illustrated in Fig.
29, apply hoof ointment and a packing of oakum so that
the shoe will not bear hard on the wall. This will hold the
sole up and take the strain off of the wall and in time the
sole will go back to its proper place. It is sometimes a
good plan to apply a blister around the coronet to force the
growth of the foot and soften it up.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 63

STIFLE SHOE.

Fig". 30 represents a stifle shoe. There is an old saying-
that ''my liorse has got a stifle out.'' I was horn, you
might say, a blacksmith, and I have heard my father say
many a time that he had got to go out and put the old
horse's stifle in. Now I don't think the old gentleman ever
saAV a horse with a stifle out.

We have what we call stifle difficulties, but if the horse
gets his stifle out he will never do an^^ more work. To get
the stifle out he has got to break a band of bone like the
knee-pan in man, and after this bone is broken it can
never be replaced.

There are cords and muscles that draw over the stifle
the same way as they do over the knuckles of the hand and
it is these that slip and get out of place, and to cure such
troubles a shoe is used made in the style shown in the illus-
tration. This is to be put on the well foot, the object being
to make the horse stand on the crippled foot and hold his
cords and muscles in their places until they are relaxed.

Before using this shoe it is necessar3'to be very careful to
ascertain that the trouble with the horse relates to the
stifle. I have frequentlj^ seen cases Avhere owners of horses
thought that the stifle Avas out of place and the only trou-
ble was that the horse had been pricked with a nail.

FLAT TROTTING PLATE.

Fig. 31 shows a flat trotting plate or a shoe for pacers;
can be made in the same style Avith light steel. With pa-

64

ARTISTIC HORSE- SHOEING.

cers it is necessary to pursue exactly the opposite course to
what is necessary with trotters.

As a general thing* the lighter the shoe the faster a
pacer will travel. I make pacers shoes down as low as 4
oz. and from that up to whatever size it may appear neces-
sary for the horse to carr^^ Always punch your nail holes
as near the toes as possible with all light shell horses.

Fig. 31.— Flat TROTTrNGr Plate.

COLT S SHOE.

Fig. 32 shows a colt's shoe. The first two or three 3^ears
a colt is shod more pains should be taken with the shoes
than is required afterwards. A colt's foot is like the foot
of a growing boy. It is not very strong and it does not
take but a little to get it twisted and warped out of shape.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

65

One great trouble with horsemen is this. The}^ will ^^o
into a blacksmith's shop and say to the blacksmith: " I want
some old shoes put on the colt, because I want something
light." By such a plan as this it is frequently the case that
you get a 16-oz. shoe on one foot and a 10 or 12-oz. shoe on
the other, and the result is that the colt is unbalanced and

Fig. 33.— Colt's Shoe.

in a little while he is interfering, and soon gets to forging

perhaps.

Now we should equalize the weight of the shoes, getting
them as near the same weight as possible on both front feet,
and as near as possible the same weight on both hind feet.

To make the shoe represented in the illustration, take
common half round iron, say f or i inch wide and
don't crease it at all. Tliey can be shaped around the horn

66 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

of the anvil and made almost as fast as a hen can pick up
corn.

Dovetail the nails in and make ever3'thing- perfectly
smooth. With this stjde of shoe a colt will have shoes of
equal weig-ht and is not likely to g-et into the habit of inter-
fering or forging-. I consider them the best shoes which can
be put upon a colt.

Fig. 33.— Hind Shoe with Three Calks.
HIND SHOE WITH THREE CALKS.

Fig. 33 shows a shoe with three calks. It is made the
same as any common shoe, having three calks. It is used
in cases where horses have heavy pulling to do.

I always make low calks. In most cases horse-shoers
get the calks too high, which causes a rocking and wrench-

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 67

ing- motion that produces more or less strain and injury
to the tendons. Be careful in applying- this shoe, as in
other cases, to have the foot perfectl}^ level.

TOE-WEIGHT AND SIDE-WEIGHT COMBINED.

Fig-. 3-4 represents a toe- weight ancj side-weight combined.

Fia. 34.— Toe- Weight and Side- Weight Combined.

When it is desired to mcrease the action of a horse in front,
the toe- weight should be used, and if it is desired to have
the same horse travel a little wider, use the side-weight
also ; forging one side so the w^eight will extend about an
inch further towards the heel than the other.

68

ARTISTIC HORSE -SHOEING.

Incase the horse swing's his feet outward use the heaviest
weight on the inside of the foot, which has a tendency to
draw the foot hack and make the animal travel square. If
he throws his feet too close together the additional weight

Fig. 35.— Shoe to Prevent Paddling and Knocking.

should be used on the outside of the foot, the object being
to make the horse spread his feet in traveling.

The same shoe may also be used to correct what is called
weaving, or Avhere a horse throws his feet in traveling out-
ward and inward in a sort of weaving motion.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 69

This shoe makes a very good toe-weig-ht and side-weight
combined. It can be calked or not as may be required.

SHOE TO PREVENT PADDLING AND KNEE -KNOCKING.

Fig-. 35. This shoe is made out of inch by half-inch iron,

Fig. 36. —Foot-Bearing Surface of Fig. 35.

creased all the way around, and should be used in all cases
of paddling.

The great trouble with many horses and knee-knockers is,
that they strike on the outside point of the toe. Take any
common shoe at the point indicated by A, say, weld on a

70

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

projection of half an inch to three-quarters of an inch in
leng-th. It may be an inch long-er if necessary. As the
horse strikes this projection in traveling- he swings over
and settles on the inside point of his toe. When this is

Fig. 37.— Rolling Motion Toe- Weight Shoe.

accomplished it is necessary for him to swing his foot out.

I have stopped very bad cases of knee-knockers with this
shoe and have had no trouble with it made exactly as re-
presented in Fig. 35.

Always be careful to make the foot level in all cases,

ARTISTIC HORSE -SHOEING.

71

when shoeing" for different diseases and the correction of
bad habits.

Fig. 36 shows the foot-bearing surface of Fig. 35, as
well as the concavity which it is necessary to give to the

Fig. 38.— Rollixg Motion Shoe.

toe inside, and the position of the nail holes. It also shows
where the spur is welded on.

ROLLING MOTION TOE-WEIGHT SHOE.
Fig. 37 represents a shoe having a toe-weight and a rol-
ling: motion combined. This shoe tends to increase the

72 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

action in the fore-leg's of the horse, the rolling- motion
making it easy for him to travel. A, shows the bottom
of the shoe which is not creased, the nails being dove-tailed
in so that the heads will set perfectly smooth with the
surface of a shoe w^hen it is on. ^, is a sectional view of A,
and shows the method of constructing the toe, revealing
the convexity of the ground side.

ROLLING MOTION SHOE.

Fig. 38 represents the rolling motion carried to an ex-
treme. This shoe should be used in bad cases of stumbling.
It should be made out of inch b}^ half inch iron. Do not
draw the inside web at all, but leave it the full thickness,
forge the outside edge and crease to the shape shown in the
illustration. This Avill give the horse action and makes
him raise his feet higher so that when he sets them down
there is nothing to impede his movements, as would be the
case with an ordinary toe. This shoe, represented b}^ A in
the engraving, should be made flat in all cases. B, is a
sectional view showing the slant and proper curve for the
toe.

DOUBLE HALF-BAR SHOE.

Fig. 39 shows what is termed a double half-bar. This is
designed to take the place of a full bar, and the method of
construction will be seen b^^ an inspection of A, which shows
a completed shoe. Half bars are attached and curl around
each side of the frog, relieving the heels of all undue pres-
sure.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

n

B and C, show sectional views of the bars, g^iving" an idea
of their construction and thickness.

In all cases of corns on both sides I have used this shoe
with g-reat success.

It has also proved very successful in all cases of contrac-
tion. The shoe should not be allowed to touch at the heels.

Fig. 39.— Double Half-Bar Shof.

The foot should be dressed perfectly level with the ex-
ception of what is taken off from the heels to prevent the
shoe bearing- and touching on the quarters.

When the quarters get crowded down so that the^^ touch
the shoe, it should be removed and the quarters cut down

74

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

again so as to relieve the pressure. This shoe can be calked
the same as any bar shoe if necessary, but the closer we
keep the diseased foot to the ground, the better it will be,
and the sooner it will get into good condition.

Fig. 40.— Side- Weight and Toe- Weight Combined.

SIDE-WEIGHTS AND TOE-WEIGHTS COMBINED.

Fig. 40 shows a side-weight and toe-weight combined. I
use this shoe in balancing the action of all horses. If the
horse is inclined to hobble or hitch I use this shoe on the
hind foot and increase the weight. There is no question as
to the good results of applying this shoe to any horse if
you get weight enough. If the first shoe fails to pro-
duce the proper result, increase the web, always placing the

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

Y5

weig-lit on the outside of the foot. I use a very light heel
and no toe-calks. On the hind shoes of all speeding- horses,
and generally on light driving horses, I always use small
heels, then when a horse reaches out the heel gives him a
firm grip on the ground so that he will not be likely to slip or

Fig. 41.— Rolling Motion Shoe.

strain himself. A, shows the completed shoe ; while B, gives
an idea of style of the calk used.

ROLLING MOTION SHOE.

Fig. 41 is a rolling motion shoe. The advantage of this
shoe is that it increases the action of a trotter and quickens

76

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

his pace. In a common flat shoe a horse has to keep climb-
ino- from the time he raises his heels to the time he gets
over the point of his toe. Withtiiis shoe the rolUne- motion

Fig. 42.— Front Shoe with Three Calks.

comes in the moment he begins to raise his heels. A, repre-
sents the bottom of a completed shoe; Avhile B, shows a
sectional view giving- a clear idea of the necessary roll, to-
gether with the position of the creases.

ARTISTIC HORSE- SHOEING.

17

FRONT SHOE WITH THREE CALKS.

Fig\ 42 represents a common front shoe with three calks.
This shoe is made the same as any ordinary shoe with the
exception that the calks are made lower, as with low calks
the foot can be kept in better condition than with high calks.

Fig. 43.— Half-Bar and Side-Weight Combined.

As a general thing* I do not approve of making the calks of
any shoes over half an inch high. Many people are apt to
want high calks. The higher the calk the more rack and
strain there is. More ring-bones, curbs and spavins are
brought about by the feet rocking on high calks than by
anything else. A, represents the complete shoe ; while B,

78 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

shows a sectional view of the heig'ht and shape of the calk.
I always make the toe-calk a little bit the lowest.

HALF-BAR AND SIDE-WEIGHT COMBINED.

Fig". 43 represents a side-weight and half-bar shoe com-
bined. When it is necessary to widen the action of a
trotting- horse, this side-weig-ht is used, and in case the
quarter of the same foot has grown in and wired under, the
half-bar is used, covering* just half of the frog-. This will
spread out the quarter to where it is wanted. B, shows
the thickness of the half-bar as it rests on the frog-.

It should be borne carefully in mind that the bar only
touches and presses on half of the frog'. It will not do to
extend it clear across the frog-. This shoe should be used
in all cases of broken down quarters, or corns, or quarter
cracks.

A PLAIN HIND SHOE.

Fig-. 44 shows a plain hind shoe. On lig-ht driving horses
I use no toe-calk. This shoe should be made of steel.
Turn up a very light heel, in all cases making the weight
as nearly as possible equal on both sides. When this style
of shoe is used for road horses they should be made very
long. The shoe should project at least one inch back of the
foot, the object being to support the main cords and tendons
and the ankle joints. Tliis takes off all concussions and
will prevent knuckling. In case a horse is inclined to
knuckle, a good long shoe should be used and the heel
should be raised. Use the same style of shoe for the front

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

79

foot as for the hind foot. That is as long- a shoe as would
be used in difficulties of knee-sprung- animals. Knuckling
and knee-springing is brought on b}' straining the tendons
and cords. To give the animal relief, of course the strain
must be taken off. A, shows the complete shoe ; Avhile B,
represents a sectional view with the heel properly turned up.

Fig. 44.— Plain Hind Shoe.

PLATE FOR RUNNING HORSES.

Fig. 45 is a plate for running horses. It is made of
steel, very light, and varies in weight according to the size
of the horse to which it is to be applied. I make them as
light as If oz. and from that up to 4 ozs., according to
the weight the horse is designed to carry. They are made

80 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

with four nails on a side and placed as shown in the engrav-
ing*. No calks whatever are used on the plate, the object

Fig. 45.— Plate for Running Horses.

being to use as light a shoe as is compatible with a proper
protection of the foot.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 81

CHAPTER V.

CLINCHING TOOL.

In this connection (Fig-. 46) is described one of the most
useful little tools which I have ever handled. It is used
instead of a rasp for cutting- out the small portion of hoof
driven outward by the nail, and interfering unless it is re-
moved with proper clinching. This bit of hoof is usually
rasped out, but in rasping it a portion of the hoof on each

Fig. 46.— Cldschdsg Tool.

ide of the nail is cut away to clinch the nail. The tool in
.luestion will gouge out just enough hoof to admit of the
nail clinching in good shape. Rasping or filing under the
nail weakens the Avails of the foot and it is far better to re-
move the small portion of hoof necessary by this clinching
tool,

HANDLING BRIDLE.

I shoe all kickers, and handle all ugly horses with this
bridle. Any open bridle can be converted into this kind of
bridle by means of the Rockwell Bit. No. 1 in Fig. 47
represents the nose piece, Avhicli is 18 inches long and is

82

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

attached to the side pieces ; and after it is on the horse you
can take it up so that it will fit. This piece should always
be made 18 inches long so as to double it in attaching- to the

Fig. 47.— Handling Bridle.

bridle. No. 2 in the illustration is 24 inches long, running
from No. 1, to the top of the bridle. No. 1 shows where
the rope should always be tied. Then let it run over the
neck as indicated at No. 4, then down tlirough the ring in

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 83

the bit at No. 5. This rope should be half an inch in diam-
eter and 12 feet long-. It may not be necessary to use it as
long- as this ordinarily, but in bad cases it may often come
in handy. I handled an ugly horse in this way. I put on
the bridle and take him out doors where I can have plenty
of room. Step to one side and g-ive him a sharp pull. Every
time you pull say "whoa. * ' Then try the same tactics on the
other side. When you get on the other side he will be
likely to follow you. • If he does you may know he is think-
ing of the bit. Draw up the rope tight and have some one
hold it, then pick up his foot and if he does not stand drop
the foot and give him a few more strong pulls of the rope.
You will find that he will not think very much about kick-
ing, but his mind will be on the bridle and there will not be
time for him to telegraph back to his heels to kick.

DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY OF THE HORSE.

The two parts of the head of the horse which correspond
to the temples in man are above the eyes. The orbit, which
is formed of seven bones, four cranial and three facial
bones, contains the globe of the eye. On the inner angle is
situated the haw, shown at A in the engraving.

At B, the etje-pits are indicated. These are the indenta-
tions which are located between the ear and the eye and
above the eye-brows.

C, represents the front of the head or the face from the
e3^es to the nostrils. This portion corresponds to the upper
part of a man's nose.

The neck of the horse is designated by the word crest,

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 85

and is shown at D in the engraving-. The crest comprises
all that portien of the neck covered by the mane.

E, is the forelock or that portion of the mane which
naturally falls over the forehead between the eyes.

The ivithers indicated at F is the spot where the shoul-
ders meet.

The chest is shown at G, and is that part which is in front
between the shoulders and below the throat.

The hack is shown at H. It commences at the withers, F,
and extends along the spine as far as the crupper.

The space between the back, H, and the stomach, J, is
called the barrel.

The flanks lie at the extremity of the stomach and extend
as far as the hip bones.

31, represents the shoulder, while ^ indicates the arm.

O, is the knee-joint. This corresponds to the wrist in
man.

P, is the shank. It commences at the knee-joint and cor-
responds to the Metacarpus in man.

Behind the shank is a tendon which extends from one end
to the other and is called the hack sineiv.

Q, is the fetlock-joint. The fetlock itself is a tuft of hair
covering a sort of soft, horny excrescence, which is called
the ergot.

R, shows where the two pastern bones are located and is
that portion of the leg between the fetlock-joint and the
foot.

aS', is the coronet ; a slight elevation hing below the pas-
terns, Avhich is furnished with long hair falling" over the hoof
all around the foot.

86 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

T, shows the hoofs, or it may be said the nails of the foot,
as the hoof correspond to the nails in the human hand.

K, in the hind leg, represents the stifle ^ which is the joint
of the knee and contains the knee-pan. This corresponds
to the knee in man. It is situated below the haunch on a
level with the flank and shifts its place when the horse
walks.

M', shows the thigh, which corresponds to the leg in man.
It extends from the stifle down to the hock. The hock is
the joint which is below the thigh and bends forward. This
thigh- joint corresponds to the instep in man. The hinder
part of the hock, which is called the point of the hock, is the
heel. Below the hock are the shank, the fetlock- joints, the
pastern and the foot, as in the fore-legs.

N' , shows the upper portion of the hind leg.

THE CORRECT ANGLE OF THE FOOT.

Very few horse-shoers, comparatively, understand that
there is a correct and incorrect angle for the foot to assume
w^hen it is placed flat upon the ground. Some shoers cut
too much from the toe, throwing the foot too far over in
front, while others cut dow^n the heel too low, necessarily
throwing the foot too far back.

Fig. 50 shows an illustration of a foot with the angle
properly indicated. Of course this angle will vary a little
in different horses and here is where judgment is required
in the horse-shoer. About 53 degrees may be considered
the right thing for the front foot, while 58 or 60 will be the
average angle for the hind foot. Almost any horse-shoer

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

87

can construct an instrument with the decrees marked on so
that it will be easy to ascertain exactly the angle of any
foot.

RESULTS OF USING POOR NAILS.

Fig. 50 shows a foot with the shoe attached, a portion of
which has been cut away for the purpose of illustrating

Fig. 49.— Correct Angle of the Foot.

how a poor nail may work serious and sometimes fatal
injury. A, shows the coffin-bone; B, the sensitive sole; and
C, indicates where the nail split, and a portion of it pene-
trated through the sensitive sole and nearly through the
point of the coffin-bone. The moral of course to be di\^wn
from this is that no horse-shoer should ever be tempted to

88

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

use a poor nail. I do not use or recommend any other nail
except the Vulcan Nail, made by the Fowler Nail Co. of
Seymour, Conn. I once lost a horse by using- poor nails.
The illustration shows exactly how a nail in this particular

Fig. 50.— Result of Using Poor Nails.

case did its fatal work and the horse died of lock-jaw. The
illustration was made from the foot taken from this horse.
I have never found a Vulcan nail during- the twelve years I
have used them break or split.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

89

CHAPTER VI.

FEET, ETC.

FRONT VIEW OF A DISEASED COFFIN-BONE.

Fig-. 51 represents the front view of a diseased coffin-
bone. When ossification takes place throughout the

Fig. 51.— Front View of a Diseased Coffin-Bone.

entire structure of the bone, the outside bone around the
edge of the coronet becomes enlarged. A great many
people term this a bad case of ring-bone, but it is not ring-

90 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

bone, it is a g-enuine case of diseased coffin-bone, and there
is no cure for it. As soon as the foot assumes the condi-
tions shown herewith, the quicker 3^ou Ivill the old horse
the quicker you will g-ive him relief.

Fig. 53.— Back View of a Diseased Coffin-Bone.
BACK VIEW OF A DISEASED COFFIN-BONE.

Fig". 52 shows a back vicAv of a diseased coffin-bone. All
the relief which can be given to a horse thus afflicted is to
shoe him as near level as possible, raising the heel-calks
and letting the shoe extend out say an inch-and-a-half or
two inches back of the foot.

Fig. 53 shows a back view of the near front foot of the
same horse. Fig. 52 being the off front foot. Fig'. 53 also

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

91

Fig. 53.— Perfect Representation of a Coffin-Bone.

g'ives a perfect representation of a coffin-bone. It will be
seen that there is quite a difference in the feet.

Fig. 54. — Front View of a Perfect Foot.

Fig". 54 gives a front view of a perfect foot, as shown in
the back view of Fig. 53.

92

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

A VERY THIN SHELL.

Fig. 55 represents a very thin light shell, the finer the
breed of the horse the thinner and lighter the shell in
every case. On this account great judgment is needed on

Fig. 55.— Very Thin Shell.

the part of the horse-shoer to determine what sized nail to
use. I use nails as small as No. 2 and up to as high as No.
7, but do not use many No. 8's, and have not driven a No. 9
horse-nail in seven years. The horse the foot came off,
shown herewith, was shod on Monday and the next Friday'-
was dead. There is no question in my mind as to what the
trouble was with this horse. He certainl3^ died with lock-

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 93

jaw. There were only two nails in the outside wall, the
rest being- in the lamince, some of them coming clear
throug-h the lining- of the foot, penetrating- a mass of blood
vessels, arteries and sensitive nerves.

This foot came off a Hambletonian trotter. These
trotters have the lightest shells of any trotting horses in
the world.

Too great care, it will be seen, cannot be taken in dressing
the feet of fine bred horses, and great care is needed not to
use too large nails.

Fig. 56.— Sectional View showing How Nails should be Driven.

Fig. 5G shows a sectional view of a horse's foot, the
exact location of the wall of the foot through which the
nail must be driven can be readily seen. The most casual
observer will notice that a trifling deviation of the nail from
the proper course will send it into the sensitive laminae where
it will produce lameness and serious injury.

FOOT OF A HORSE THAT DIED OF LOCK-JAW.

Fig. 57 represents the foot of a horse that died of lock-
jaw. Now I am free to confess that I have killed two valu-
able horses in my life by driving the nails wrong and pul-

94

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

ling- them out ag"ain before the owner could see what had
been done. In performing- this operation sometimes the
point of the nail will twist off and remain in the foot. Now
whenever this happens the outside crust or wall should be
opened at once and the piece of nail removed or the horse
will die of lock-jaw.

YiQ. 57.— Foot of a Horse that Died of Lock-jaw.

COLD VS. HOT HEATING.

Right here let me say a word with respect to hot fitting-.
I talked in favor of hot fitting- for twenty-one years.
Why did I do it ?

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 95

Simply because I could dress and level a horse's foot a
great deal easier that way than I could with a file or rasp.
Now the sensitive lamin^E of the horse's foot between the
shell and the lining- of the foot is similar to the sensitive
portion under the human finger-nail, and just as far as the
heat goes it kills the sensitive laminae and burns them out.
After we get the laminiB burnt out on both sides of the foot
to the depth of the thickness of the sole, if the horse hap-
pens to be very heavy, the sole is forced down and then we
say he is in the first stages of founder. I have foundered
at least five hundred horses in m^^ life Avith hot shoes and
nothing else. I don't allow myself or any man under m^^
instruction to touch a hot shoe to any horse's foot.

The foot should be perfectly level in all cases, and the
shoe should be made perfectl}^ level before applying it to
the foot. All we take off from the foot we take off from the
bottom of the foot, and never set the shoe back and chop all
the way around the outside. When this is done all the
strength of the shell around the outside is cut away and
this will cripple the best horse in the world. This is a
great mistake.

For twenty-one years I used to fit the foot to the shoe
and not the shoe to the foot. The first thing I used to do
after pulling off a shoe was to cut the heels down. After I
got the heels cut down low enough to suit me I would put
my buttress or knife in one side of the frog and cut that
side down. Then I would cut the other side down and if
the man was paying me a little extra price why I would
cut it all out. Now the frog does not want to be touched
with a knife at all.

90 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

Under natural conditions the frog is shed every three
months in a healthy foot and ought never to be touched by
the farrier ; when the sensitive frog* is subjected to the ordi-
nary banging and concussion which it will receive if let alone
the outside horn^^ frog will shed itself. Cutting the frog
away stops the groAvth of the foot at least a year.

FOOT SHOWING A TOE CRACK.

Fig. 5G represents a foot with a toe crack. This is a very
common occurrence, but toe cracks are not seen neaiiy as

A
Fig. 58.— Foot showing a Toe Crack.

often as quarter cracks. The point A in the engraving re-
presents the split in the toe. In shoeing a split toe always
cut out the hoof with a knife or rasp to the shape shown in
the illustration. By this means the bearing is taken off
from the crack. In such cases a calk shoe (such as will be
found described elsewhere) is used. This lets the horse

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

97

over eas}^ and relieves the strain on the toe. It is very im-
portant to avoid all strain at the point where the crack is.
In this particular case it will be a good plan to use a bar

Fig. 59.— a Horse's Deformed Foot.

with the four-calk shoe. As the heels are expanded the
crack in the toe is closed up. A fruitful cause of toe cracks,
in m3^ opinion, is the use of too larg-e clips.

98 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

A horse's deformed foot.

Fig". 59 shows the foot of a colt which was ruined by not
cutting' the heel for five years.

I have frequently had horsemen come into my shop and
say, '' Don't cut the heel any, cut the toe but not the heel."

The horse whose foot is shown in the eng-raving" was
spoiled by his owner, who insisted that nothing should be
cut from the heels.

The poor blacksmith, however, was the man who had to
stand the blame.

When the heel is left too high the horse's foot is tlirow^n
over in front, bending- it up and throwing the pastern
bones and coffin-bone out of position. Instead of keeping-
their natural position, these bones, in the exam^Dle under
consideration, had been thrown into a vertical position. In
shoeing- a horse the heel must be cut down just as much as
anj^ other part of the foot. Of course there are naturally
high heels and naturally low heels. A horse-shoer, if he
understands his business, will know just as soon as he
picks up the foot about how much to cut off and where to
cut. I have seen horses ruined b}^ cutting- the heel too
much. If the foot, however, is kept at an angle of about 53
degrees, it will not be very far out of the way.

FOOT WITH SECTION OF WALL REMOVED.

Fig-. GO represents a dark colored foot. It is a curious
fact that a light colored foot has a thinner shell than a
dark colored foot. The piece from ^ to 5 in the illustra-
tion represents the outside crust or wall and laminae taken

ARTISTIC HORSE -SHOEING.

99

out of the side of the foot to show the internal construction.
It can be easil^^ seen by an examination of this illustration
that there is not very much thickness in an\' foot into
which a nail can be driven. The importance, therefore, of

*■'*)« f Jim

Fig. 60.— Foot with Section of Wall Removed.

understanding the construction of the foot so as to locate
nails properly cannot be overestimated. If the nail is
driven inside of the wall it strikes the lamini^e, and if it g'oes
inside the laminae it hits between six and seven hundred
blood vessels. In most cases dark colored feet have ^

100 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

shell as thick ag-ain as light colored feet. A white foot
witii a dark streak or a dark foot with a light streak can
stand more banging, go barefooted longer, and is far
tougher than any other kind of a foot.

SHOE WITH PORTION OF HOOF CLINGING TO IT.

Fig. Gl represents a shoe and a i:)iece of foot that has
been pulled off from the horse. When this happens it is

Fig. 61. — Shoe with Portion of Hoof Clinging to it.

caused hy rasping too much with the corner of the rasp
under the clinches. The outside crust or wall should be
subjected to just as little rasping and filing as possible. It
should be understood that the shell of the foot is not very
thick. A man cannot file with the corner of a rasp
under the clinches and make a g-roove big- enough for a
canal boat to run in without getting the whoie shell off.

With the ordinary method of chnchiug by rasping a
p-roovc under the clinch, if the horse gets his shoe off he is

ARTI8TIC HORSE-SHOEING.

101

liable to pull a part of his foot off. Now I do not file with
the ordinaiy rasp at all. I have a little gouge so con-
structed that I can take off just what the nail turns up as
it comes out and by using* the tool the shell is not weakened
at all. A great many after they get the shoe on and
clinched, rasp and polish the foot up to the hair. I never
do that now. It should never be done in any case. When
it is done the shell of the foot is greatly weakened and all
the pores opened.

YiG, 63.— A Bad Case of Contraction.

No more rasping or filing should be done on the outside
wall than is absolutely necessary.

A BAD CASE OF CONTRACTION.

Fig. G2 represents a bad case of contraction. Few people

comprehend how much a horse suffers as his foot is being

drawn in at the heel by improper shoeing. This difficulty

is called by some people contraction, and others say that

102 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

the horse is lioof bound, but whatever you call it, the horse
should be g-iven immediate relief. An animal thus afflicted
suffers as much as a man would suffer with a pair of
extremel}^ tight boots, and perhaps more. It is no wonder
in cases of contraction that a horse tries to relieve the pain
he suffers by walking- on his toes. The contraction of the
foot presses on the blood vessels and nerves and in a
measure shuts off the circulation, causing intense pain.
Any man can easily tell when a horse is suffering from
contraction by examining the lateral ridges of the hoof.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 103

CHAPTER VII.

SPECIFIC DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS.

GLANDERS.

This highly contag'ious disease is believed to be almost
invariably incurable by any known means, and hence it is
not here introduced with any hope of its cure, but solely
that horse-masters should be able to recognize it, and,
when discovered, to prevent its being" spread. The symp-
toms are — a yellow discharge from one or both nostrils and
a swelling of the glands under the throat. If one nostril
only is affected, the corresponding gland is enlarged, while
the other remains in a healthy state. Sometimes the dis-
ease continues in this stage for many months, but, sooner
or later, the discharge increases in quantity, and becomes
green and very offensive, and the mucous membrane of the
nostril becomes ulcerated, and the swollen glands harden,
and attach themselves closely to the jaw-bone. It may be
distinguished from the swelling and mucous discharge
which accompany ordinaiy cold by the absence of fever, and
by the continuance of the disease for a long period of time ;
also by the swelled gland adhering to the jaw, w^hich is a
very characteristic sympton. The inflammation in gland-
ers is of a chronic character, and there is little heat of sur-
face. The ulceration of the mucous membrane is also pe-

104 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

culiar to the disease, and never accompanies ordinaiy cold,
in Avhicli, also, the discharge is almost always equally co-
pious from both nostrils. From strang'les it ma}' readil^^ be
disting-uished by the absence of suppuration in the glands,
and by the hardness and adhesion of them to the jaw.
Gland er, likcAvise, is the disease of old or adult animals,
while strangles very rarely attacks any but young ones.
In strangles, also, the mucous membrane lining the nose is
intensely red, Avhile in glanders it is only moderately so ;
the discharge likewise in strangles is profuse from the first.
The cause of glanders is almost alw lys contagion ; but
in some few cases it appears to be generated, or rather to
degenerate, from common catarrh or strangles. Still it is
very difficult to arrive at certain conclusions upon this sub-
ject, because, instead of degenei^ating, it may only have
assumed the form of these milder diseases at first, and yet
all the time have been true glanders. But whether it is
so or not, it appears quite clear that man}^ cases appar-
ently of these mild diseases graduall}^ became converted
into glanders from some cause or other, and are then to-
tally incurable. The point at which the change takes place
cannot be defined ; but the most experienced surgeons be-
gin by pronouncing them cases of common cold or stran-
gles, and end by asserting that they are true glanders ;
and the state of the constitution marks the alteration, the
horse having become thin and haggard, with his coat star-
ing and rough. Mr. Coleman relate a case in which several
sound horses on board ship were obliged to be closely con-
fined under closed hatches, in consequence of which some of
them were suffocated, and the remainder showed unmis-

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 105

takeable sig-ns of g-landers, althoug-h there was not the
shghtest reason to believe that they were inoculated with
it by contagion. It is, therefore, reasonable to conclude
with the majority of writers on the subject, that glanders
is generated by foul stables ; want of ventilation and over-
crowding being generally the chief cause and origin of the
disease. The essence of the disease appears to be an ulcer-
ation of the mucous membrane of the nostrils, which
speedily contaminates the nearest lymphatic gland, and
finally attacks the whole system, constituting the form
called ^ ' farcy," — to be present!}^ described. The ulcers dis-
charge a poisonous matter, which is capable of communi-
cating the disease to other horses or to man, or if absorbed
into the S3'stem, as it always is in course of time, it destroys
the health with more or less rapidity, but with great cer-
tainty. But this matter must actuall}^ touch the mucous
membrane of the sound horse, and no mere breathing will
suffice to give the disease. It is b^^ drinking out of the same
bucket, or by smelling one another, and rubbing noses to-
gether, or licking one another, that one horse affects
another ; and if the stalls were higher, it would be carried
from one to the other much less frequently than at present.
But no one with any prudence would run the risk of keep-
ing an infected horse ; and the sooner such an animal is shot
the better for all parties, since neither horse nor man is safe
from inoculation, with all the care in the world; and in the
latter case it is a frightful disease indeed, and one which no
one is justified in risking under any pretence whatsoever.
Treatment seems to wholly thrown away, thougli some few
cases are recorded in which sulpliate of copper given inter-

106 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

nally and applied externally to the nose, has aj^parently
cured the disease. The Spanish fly is also said to have had
the same good effect, but I know nothing- from experience
of these effects ; and I should he very unwilling- to try any
experiments on such an intractable and loathsome com-
plaint. When the disease is established in a lot of horses,
they had better all be destroyed, and the stable treated as
for mange. The clothing- should either be destro^^ed or
Avell w^ashed, and then baked ; the wood of all the stable
utensils should be painted, and the ironwork exposed
to a red heat. These means will prevent its being re-
produced, and if proper cleanliness and ventilation are
maintained afterwards, whereby the disease may be pre-
vented from being generated, there is little fear of its
occurring again ; but if Professor Coleman's opinion is cor-
rect, that it is almost always generated, and consequently
if the first attack was the result of filth and neglect, unless
the management has been altered, it is scarcel.y reasonable
to expect anything else but a repetition of the same disease
occurring from similar causes.

FARCY.

By the term Farcy is understood the train of secondary
S3^mptoms which follow glanders ; and, just as we see in the
s^'philis of man a primary sore occurring on a different
part, followed by inflammation of the absorbents, enlarged
lymphatic glands, and an eruption on the skin, so in the
horse glanders begins as a series of primary sores in the
mucous membrane of the nose, together with an inflamma-
tion of the lymphatic gland, or glands, of the throat ; and

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 107

when tliis state is followed by secondary symptoms, they
receive the name of farcy, thoug'h the two diseases are the
same, as is 2)roved hy inoculation. Mr. Youatt Avas of the
opinion that the farcy-buds, as they are called, arise from
the inflammation of the absorbents, at the situation of their
valves, and in their course to the great blood-vessels of
the chest; but this can scarcel}^ be the case, because the
farcy-buds almost always make their appearance first upon
the lips and skin of the nose, parts which are more distant
from the chest than the original ulcers, and certainly not
on the line of any valvular absorbents. The fact is, that,
as in syphilis, the matter is absorbed into the whole sys-
tem, and is then deposited upon the surface, choosing-,
apparently, the most hig-hly organized skin, in preference
to that furnished with fewer blood-vessels. The appear-
ance is as follows : First of all small tumors arise, fre-
quentl}^ in the course of the veins, but often in other
situations ; and as the^^ grow they become hard, and
suppurate ; after wiiich the}^ burst, and discharge a thin
watery matter ; the sore presenting the same appearance
Avitli almost all poisonous sores, viz., a deep central cavity,
with a rugged, hard, and elevated edge, and an unhealthy
water}^ discharge. Sometimes the insides of the hinder
extremities are alTected equally with the fore-quarter ; but
more often the latter is the chief seat of the eruption, the
inside of the arm, the tender skin of the brisket, the
muzzle, and neck being thickly studded with farcy-buds
and sores in all stages of progress. By-and-by, the deep-
seated absorbents become affected, the ulceration extends
deeply between the sheaths of the muscles and tendons, and

108 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

even into the chest ; and, at last, the whole cellular mem-
brane and l3^mphatic g-lands become one mass of disease,
finally wearing- down the horse by irritative fever. This
is the regular course which will occur in most cases ; but
there are numerous exceptions, in which farcy breaks out
suddenly without any warning of these small and insidious
steps, and the ulcerations run their course more rapidly
than I have here described them. With regard to the
identity of the two diseases, there can, I think, be little
doubt on the matter, when it has so often been demon-
strated by inoculation that the matter of either Avill produce
a primary sore in the shape of glanders, followed by
secondary ulcers in the shape of farcy. Tlie latter disease,
when inoculated into the system of another horse, does
not at once reproduce its own likeness, but onl^^ b}^ means
of a glandered ulcer of the nose, or of any other part in which
it is inserted. If it is inserted in the skin, it is some time
in breaking out into ulcei's, and it does not alwa^^s succeed ;
but finally the secondar3^ symptoms appear just as if it
were introduced into the Schneiderian membrane; hence,
it is reasonable to conclude that the two are identical, and
tliat the analogy with s^^philis is complete. Farcy is dis-
tinguished from several other diseases wliich resemble it
by the following signs :

From Grease it ma^^ be known when it attacks the legs,
by the inflammation being less acute, though the swelling
is often more sudden, but the redness and glossiness are
not so great ; also b}^ the following symptoms given in the
table herewith :

ARTISTIC HORSE- SHOEING.

109

In Grease,
There is generally some crack or
evident appearance of grease,
with ichorous discharge from the
skin, and great redness and glos-
siness of it. The swelling is very
great, but it is greatest towards
the lower part, which is evidently
the fons et origo mail. This at-
tack is often called the " swelled
leg," which is perfectly distinct
from the ordinary ^tZ/ecZ leg.

In Farcy,
There are always some ulcers
irregularly circular, and with
hard edges; skin not very red
or shining, but swollen, and free
from discharge. Great general
tenderness, but no cracks in the
heels ; absorbents inflamed, and
showing hard lines and knots in
their course. The intlaramation
extends upwards, and the swell-
ing is greatest above the hock.

From Surfeit farcy is easily disting-uished by the absence
of all ulceration in the former, and by the hair hi it merely
coming" off, leaving a bare place beneath ; the little lumps
in sui'feit are not so large as in farcy, except in the very
early stage ; and the3^ come out over the body suddenly,
while farcy appears a bud at a time.

From Anasarca there can be no difficulty in distinguish-
ing this disease, because in the dropsy of the cellular
membrame there are no lumps, but an uniform swelling of
the limb. There is a local axlema of the brisket, which is
called water-farcy, most improperly, being merely a sign
of general weakness, from the vessels giving way in the
most depending i^art of the bod3\

The treatment of farcy may be conducted upon more
probable grounds of a cure than in the case of glanders —
that is to say, if the horse is not so thoroughly infected as
is sometimes the case. When glanders is detected earl}^
it is usually a very virulent case, because trifling attacks
of it are generally overlooked, and are suffered to degen-
erate into farcy before an^^thing is done ; and thus it is

110 xVRTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

said that the farcy is often curable, while glanders is
scarcely ever so. Now, w^hen this is said to be the case by
the very men who maintain their identity, there must be
some extraordinary process of reasoning- going on in their
minds ; but the truth is, as I have remarked, that whereas
those cases of glanders Avliich come under treatment are
very severe ones, so they are difficult of cure ; and in the
same way farcy is seldom suffered to be developed from
glanders when that was orig-inally in a malignant form;
and hence, by being mild, it is curable. Such I believe to
be the explanation of the fact, which is universally admitted,
that farcy is much more amenable to treatment tlian
g-landers as usually presented to the veterinary practi-
tioner ; the former being seldom malignant, and the latter
g-enerally so. The cure is effected by local as well as con-
stitutional means.

The local remedy is the destruction of the ulcer or bud,
either by the actual cautery (the budding iron), which
should be applied to every ulcer or bud so as completel}^ to
destroy it. The knife should first divide those buds which
have not ulcerated, after which the iron will act more
energetically upon them, and yet with less destruction of
the surrounding skin ; or the sulphate of copper should be
freely rubbed into the ulcers, and made to destroy their
surface. Arsenic and strong nitric acid, likewise, have
been used witli success, but their power is too great to be
trifled with by an inexperienced man. Whatever local
remedy is used should be followed up wherever the bud
makes its appearance, as there seems to be no tendenc}^ to
heal without some destruction of parts giving a new and

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. HI

healthy stimulus to the fresh surface. The constitutional
treatment is still more important than the local, and should
consist of such substances as will cause an excessive
secretion from some organ, carrying- with it the poison of
the disease ; and this substance should be as little lowering
to the horse as possible. Three such medicines are known,
viz., mercury, arsenic and iodine, all of which are paraded
bv their several advocates as certain cures. The bichloride
of mercury (corrosive sublimate) is the form generally
given, in doses of from 5 to 15 grs., dissolved carefully,
and then added to a pint of gruel, the next morning. If
arsenic is given, it may be administered according to the
formula already given ; and I believe it to be by far the
best remedy in farcy, and the least injurious to the horse.
But it is only as an experiment upon a horse which would
otherwise be shot that I should ever advise the owner to
use these powerful drugs without regular advice, as it will
seldom happen that he will be able to calculate the proper
dose, or to know when to push it, and when to hold his
hand. Sometimes, however, such a case occurs as the one
I have alluded to, and then he may feel justified in trying
his luck; and if so, I would suggest his giving the
biniodide of mercury as follows : Biniodide of mercury,
3 to 5 grs. ; linseed meal and water, enough to make a ball.
To be given three times a day. This I believe to be more
likely than any other remedy to effect a radical cure of the
disease. The dose may be increased up to 8 or 10 grains,
with care ; but the above will generally be found sufficient,
and more safe than corrosive sublimate or arsenic.

112 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

GLANDERS IN MAN.

Glanders in man is a horrible disease, capable of being-
inoculated from the horse when there is an abrasion of the
surface. Numerous cases of this kind have occurred, all of
which have been fatal when allowed to reach the stag-e of
absorption. If, however, the inoculated sore is destroyed by
the hot iron, or by lunar caustic or fused potass, there is
ver}^ little risk of the disease spreading* ; and therefore the
g-room who has the care of a g-landered horse, and who finds
a sore on his arm or hand, should always consult a skillful
surg-eon at once, and follow his advice, if he prescribes any
form of caustic, on the supposition that it is the disease we
are now considering*. When it has been absorbed, there
seems to be little chance of a cure, thoug-h there are one or
two doubtful cases on record in Avhich it is said to have been
effected. At all events it is worth the trial, and the bin-
iodide of mercury holds out the best chance of a cure, in
doses of one-third of a g*rain three times a dny.

STRAINS AND BREAKS-DOWN.

Strains may affect either the muscles, joints, or tendons,
and each of these three sets of organs are constantly suf-
fering* from them. Muscular strains consist of an absolute
tearing* of tlie fibrous tissue composing* the muscles, or else
of such an approach to a disruption as to have an equally
prejudicial effect in producing* lameness. In some cases
the -whole of a small bundle of fibres is torn across; but
this is not tlie usual dei2*ree in which strains occur, and the

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 113

most common amount of mischief is onl^^a slig'ht separation
of a few of the very small fibres of which the bundle is
composed; and this state is then g-enerally spread over a
considerable surface, producing- considerable soreness from
inflammation. Teiidoiious and Ligamentous Strains are
very similar in their nature, and consist either in an absol-
ute tearing- apart of these fibres, or such an approach to
this as to cause great inflammation, and consequent inca-
pacity for using them. Sometimes what is supposed to be a
strain of the tendon is really an inflammation in its sheath,
which causes great swelling and pain, and the limb is
thereby rendered quite useless for the time being.

Strain of the Shoulder is g-enerally a cloak for the igno-
rance of the groom or other attendant upon the horse, it
being really a very rare accident, though often assigned as
a cause for lameness which is really in the feet, legs, or
knees. It is an inflammation of some of the muscles of the
shoulder following violent strain, and generally confined to
the serratus muscle, which slings the body to the shoulder-
blade, and which is sometimes strained in coming- down
from a high leap, etc. The symptoms are a dragging of
the toe in the walk, with deficiency of action on the trot,
and a drop of the head while the affected leg is being ex-
tended, and not while it is on the ground ; hence, when
shoiQder lameness, is mistaken for foot lameness, the
groom is apt to shift the blame on to the wrong foot. It
may also be distinguished by laying hold of the affected leg,
and drawing the Avhole together ivith the shoulder forwards,
Avhen, if the latter is affected, the horse will give evidence
of pain, which lie will not do if the foot or le^- is the seat of

114 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

the mischief. The t]'eatinent for shoukler-lameness lies in
rest, bleeding', purg-ing", cooling balls, with nitre, etc., and if
it continues, the insertion of a rowel in the bosom. A cooling-
diet of green meat will also be needful, and all the corn
should be taken away. After all the heat has disappeared,
the horse may be turned loose mto a box, and in another
fortnight he may be walked out with a leading-rein ; but it
should be tw^o or three months before he is again mounted.

Strain of the Stifle is confined to the joint, wiiich be-
comes hot and tender, and often swells considerabl3^ The
remedies are the same as for the shoulder, but a blister will
often prove very efficacious, and it may be used in prefer-
ence to a rowel, and repeated ag'ain and again.

Strain of the Round-hone, or Whirl-hone, as it is
termed b^^ horsemen, is reall^^ confined to the hip-joint,
which is often strained, but more frequently said to be so
than really affected. It is very difficult to pronounce with
certainty that this joint is strained, but sometimes the
wasting' of the muscles affords unmistakable evidence of
the nature of the disease. Blisters and embrocations afford
the greatest chance of relief ; but wiien the wasting is very
marked, and there is no evidence of present mischief,
nothing but compulsory work will cure the disease. Light
farm-work, such as harrowing and the like, will often do
more good than all the applications in the world, simply
because the muscles have lost tone, and require the stimu-
lus of necessity to make them recover their power.

Strain of the Back-sineiv occurs in all the varied degrees
from a slight strain to a breaking-down. When the
sinews are merely slightly strained, it is g-enerally their

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 115

sheath which is affected ; but if there is very g-reat swell-
ing", especially after racing, the chances are that there is
actual breaking down of the fibres of the tendon or suspen-
sory ligament, and often to a considerable extent. It is very
unusual, however, for there to be an actual and entire sep-
aration, and the most oi'dinary condition is for the horse to
come in from his race very lame indeed, 3^et without his
fetlock touching the ground, and with only a partial sepa-
ration of the fibres, so that if it were not for the pain, he
would bear his weight on the leg. In the worst cases,
however, the fetlock-joint actually touches the ground
behind, and the leg is for the time rendered quite incapable
of bearing an^^ weight at all. There is generally some
warning of this state of the tendon, which enlarges about
midway between the knee or hock and the fetlock, and
forms there an oval swelling. When this is the
case, the chances are ten to one that an actual break-
down occurs, although there maj' be no abolute lameness :
but the inflammation is a sign that the tendon is in an unfit
state for work, and that it will most likely give way in the
next severe gallop. The proper treatment consists in cool-
ing general remedies; such as purging, bleeding if neces-
sary, and the nitre and tartar emetic ball. To this is to be
added light food, consisting of bran mashes, or green meat,
without corn, and entire rest. Locally cooling lotions are
to be applied, and ice, if it can be procured in sufficient
quantity. A bran poultice should be applied, with several
lumps of ice in it; and as fast as the^^ melt fresh lumps
should be added. The poultice is best put in an old
worsted stocking, which will hold a large mass of bran

110 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

round the leg*. In this way the active inflammation may
g-enerally be speedily subdued, reducing- it to the state in
which strains of the back-sinew usuall^^ appear; but, of
course, the more complete the rupture of the tendon, the
g-reater the difficulty of effecting- a radical cure. But it
should be known that these parts reunite and that a broken-
down horse will often recover the use of his leg- for ordinary
purposes ; though he will seldom stand the severe trial
which racing- or training- demands. After the ice poultice
has been discontinued, and at the end of three weeks or a
month, when the leg- is quite cool, it may be necessar^^ to
blister or fire the limb, or to apply a charg-e. If the strain
is very severe, nothing- is so effectual as firing-, followed b3^
a blister. Next to this comes an ordinar}^ blister with mer-
cur^^ or the biniodide of mercur3\ The charg-e is a g-ood
remed^^ after this last, as it prevents the horse from usingr
the tendon too soon, and affords a firm mechanical support.
The g-ood eiTect of the arnica is also very considerable. In
old swelling-s of the back sinews, consisting- of an enlarg-e-
ment of the sheath, rather than of a real break-down, a
sweating: embrocation, will often eiTect an absorption of
the swelling-, and prevent further mischief ; but it should
not be used when there is any heat of the part, the cooling-
lotion beingr then the proper remedy. It should always be
remembered that in strains, Avhen there is increased heat
of the leg-, cooling- medicines, low diet, and cooling- lotions
are the proper remedies ; and that firing-, blistering*, and
stimulating' embrocations must be deferred until this treat-
ment has had time to produce the desired effect. If
the contrar^^ plan is pursued, matters are only rendered

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 117

worse than before, and a slig-lit strain is often thereby con-
verted into serious mischief. This g'olden rule should be
rig-orously acted on by stablemen in all cases.

BROKEN KNEES.

Broken knees, like strains, are of every deg-ree, from the
slightest touch to the horrible wounds of the joint which
sometimes occur when a horse is drag-ged over a flinty road,
or falls over a heap of stones. These accidents, however,
rarel}^ occur, if we are to believe the assertions of horse
salesmen, who i^ledg-e their honor (I) to the fact that
each case has been occasioned by the mang-er, or by a
stone wall in hunting-, if the horse has at all the appear-
ance of that class of animals who are likely to be used as
hunters. But, leaving- the cause out of the question, it
remains to consider what is the best treatment when it
unfortunately happens that a particular horse has really
touched" his knee by a contacts with the g-round. This
will depend upon the extent of mischief. Avhich may be
one or other of the three following- deg^rees : First, if the
hair and cuticle only are rubbed off, and the cutis, or
real skin, is entire, the best plan is to g'ive the horse a
dose of physic, and bathe the knee night and morning-
with hot water, if there is an.y swelling-, or to apph^ the
tincture of arnica diluted with water, in the proportion
of two drachms of the tincture to a pint of water;
then, when all the inflammation is g-one olT, which will
usually be in a couple of days, apply a blister to
the whole of the knee except the back, which is to be

118 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

well g'uarclecl with lard, and this will brin^ off all the
hair, which will be renewed, together with that cover-
ing* the part rubbed off, in about three weeks, and will
almost invariably prevent any blemish, which is very apt to
show itself if the blister is not applied ; for although the
hair comes on again if left to itself, it is often of a different
color to that of the surrounding parts, and the critical eye
distinguishes the blemish at once. Secondly, if the true
skin is cut through so as to show the cellular membrane
beneath it, but the joint itself is not exposed, a physic ball
may be given as before, and hot fomentations applied if the
bruise is very severe, or the arnica wash at once if there is
only moderate swelling. As soon as the inflammation is
abated, I should here also apply a blister, because I
have ahvays found that the swelling caused by it contracts
the wound, and that the consequent blemish is much less
than would otherwise be the case. Indeed, I have suc-
ceeded in this way in effecting almost complete cures of
very large wounds of the skin, where a piece of it as large
as a 25-cent-piece has absolutely been cut away, besides
more extensive abrasions of the cutical around its edges.
Such a broken knee Avould,in the ordinar^Mvay, have exhib-
ited a permanently bare spot of the size of a 10-cent-piece,
but by the above treatment the bare space was not bigger
than a pea, and sometimes scarcely so large. After the
blister has risen, it must be carefully dressed with sweet
oil, or lard without salt, sometimes called "fresh liquor";
and when the wound on the knee throws out healing granu-
lations above the level of the skin, they must be kept down
to the exact level by touching them freely with a piece of

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 119

blue-stone every day. The whole art consists in causing*
the wound to contract by the swelling- and stimulus of
the blister, and in keeping down the granulations, or
"proud flesh," as they are called, by means of caustic.
The groom, however, should carefully avoid touching these,
unless they are above the surrounding skin, for below its
surface they are useful and necessary to the healing-
process. Thirdly, Avhen the joint itself is opened, the aid
of a veterinary surgeon should be called in, who will decide
upon the propriety or otherwise of destroying the animal.
Sometimes there is only a small opening-,, which may at
once be closed with the touch of a hot iron ; and at others
there is a discharge of serum, which the uninitiated will mis-
take for sj^novia (joint oil); but in any cases it is better to
have the advice of a competent judge of the injur^^

KNOCKING DOWN OF THE HIP.

The point of the hip is often knocked ofi" by the horse
being cast in the stall or in the field ; sometimes by falling
into a ditch in the dry summer weather, when the struggles
of the animal will often break off the extreme point of the
hip, especially if at all ragged, and then the muscles, acting
upon the broken portion to which they are attached, draw
it down out of its place, and the hip is said to be "knocked
down." After a time it does not much interfere with the
ordinary action of the horse ; but I am not aware of any
horse having been able to race after such an accident,
though many otherwise likely colts have been thrown by,
and used for the stud or other purposes, in consequence of

120 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

its occurrence. No tiling- can be done to relieve the horse,
and time only will remove the lameness, which at iirst is
often ver^^ considerable, from the bruises which the muscles
have received, as well as the disruption of their fibres
which must necessarily have occurred,

QUITTOR, PRICKING, THORNS, ETC.

Quittor consists of a sinus running* downwards beneath
the horn of the hoof, and occasioned b^^ a blow oi' other
injury of the coronet; or by some cause which has pro-
duced an abcess under the horn. It is, in fact, a sinus
under the hoof ; but those only are generally called quittor
which depend upon bruises or wounds of the coronet ; while
those sinuses arising* from pricks or inflamed corns are
called '* sinuses of the foot.'' In the former case a stimu-
lating application, thrust in with a probe covered with
lint, will generall}^ cause adhesion of the sides of the sinus,
and effect a cure. A strong solution of nitrate of silver,
or chloride of zinc, is the best remedy. If the sinuses
arise from below, and break out on the coronet, an
opening must be made in the sole of the foot wherever
the prick or corn produced the mischief, so that the matter
will always gravitate towards the bottom, and thus the
sinus will heal at the top. The nitrate of silver will here
also be a good dressing; or the friar's balsam may some-
times be used with advantage.

Pricks in shoeing are constantly occurring, especially in
country districts, where the smith often drives three or four
nails in succession before he gets one to come out at the

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 1:^1

rig-ht place ; and the horse's flinching- clearly shows the
sensible part into which the nails have made their way
under his wild blows. It often happens that the injury is
not at once detected, but a day or two after shoeing- the
horse is evidently uneasy in his foot, and more or less lame.
On removing the shoe, it is found that there is great
tenderness at some particular part of the foot, and some-
times a great bulging ; but this is seldom evident so soon.
It is the better plan to place the foot in a cold bran poultice,
without a shoe on, and wait for a day or two, when, if the
foot continues very hot, the smith must pare down the horn
over the suspected place, and let out the matter if there is
any; or, if necessary, bleed at the toe, which is likely to
relieve the inflammation, and prevent suppuration, if it has
not already occurred. If matter has formed and is let out
a little, friar's balsam is pushed into the abscess on a piece
of lint, and the shoe tacked on ; but the lint must be so
placed as to be capable of being pulled out on the next day,
so as to leave a clear opening for the matter to escape. In
a few days the shoe must be taken off again, and any
ragged pieces of horn removed, as well as the opening
enlarged if necessary. The sinus may now be treated as
described under quittor. Sometimes a prick occurs from a
nail picked up on the road, and then the accident must be
treated as if it occurred in shoeing.

Thorns received into the skin in hunting are often very
troublesome, and should be searched for most carefully
when they are suspected to be present. The best way is to
wet the leg thoroughly with hot water, and then to smooth
the hair down slowlv with tlie fingers, when the slightest

122 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

inequality will be discovered, which in the dry state Avould
be readily passed over. When the thorn is found, it may be
extracted with a pair of tweezers; or sometimes it may be
necessar}^ to slit the skin up for a short distance, in order
to reach the butt-end of the thorn, which should be re-
moved entire if possible.

CASTRATION,

Is the operation of removing* the testicles of the horse, and
is now performed with great dexterity by our best veterin-
ary surgeons, and with very little risk to the colt. It
should, however, never be attempted by an}" one but the
above g^entlemen ; and I shall not occupy space here by a
description of the operation. It is g-enerally performed
upon the colt at or soon after weaning-time ; but in man^^
cases, when the head and neck are sufficiently^ developed, it
should be deferred to the spring* of the second year.

RUPTURES.

Ruptures at the Navel are cured by passing* a strong pin
through the skin, and then winding some cord round it, so
as to produce inflammation and obliteration of the passag-e.
But this should always be left to the regular practitioner.

NERVING.

Nerving* is an operation done upon the nerves of the feet,
by which they are divided, and thus those org*ans are ren-
dered for the time insensible to pain. It is easily done by

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 1^3

any one who knows the rehitive situation of tlie veins, ar-
teries and nerves ; but no one who is not accustomed to the
knife should attempt the operation.

ADMINISTRATION OF CHLOROFORM.

Chloroform may he g-iven to the horse. By means of a
nose-bag it may easily be introduced into his system, by
which he is rendered wholly insensible to pain ; but the
veterinary surgeon should always have the control of so
active an agent.

CORNS.

There are several forms in which these troublesome
growths manifest themselves, though their cause and lo-
cation are generally the same.

The seat of corns is always in the sole of the foot, or its
lower connection with the wall in the posterior portion of
the hoof, at or in the angle made by the wall in its return
to form the bars.

The primary cause of all corns in the horse's foot is an
uneven ground surface, resulting either from the improper
leveling of the foot by the farrier or its previous neglect.
Let the foot always be pared level, and the shoe properly
adjusted to the wall, and corns will find no abiding place in
feet possessed of these conditions.

Hard corns are a fungoid growth upon the inner sole, at
its junction with the horny lamimie, and lie beneath, as well
as at the side and rear of the foot bone. This substance
bears some resemblance and is analogous to the corn of the

124 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

human subject, being' a thickened deposit of a kind of hard
skin, and, from its crowding- into the sensitive surfaces, the
source of so much trouble and pain. The corn ma}^ be gen-
erated by severe contusions upon the inner sole, but it gen-
erally arises from a lateral compression of the horny hoof
inward upon the sensitive parts.

The vertical pressure of the horse's weight upon the foot
bone is oftentimes so severe, and its wing-ed extremities are
imposed down upon the underlying membrane and sensitive
sole so suddenly and forcibly as to bruise them ag'ainst the
horny sole or shoe without. The bruise thus established
develops the wet or sappy corn, which consists of an effu-
sion of blood or serum into the pores of the horn, marking
its location by leaving" a stain upon the outer sole. When
the stain appears dark, and is easily removed by paring
awa}^, the corn is old and working out, but when the stain
appears bright and ruddy, by penetrating further into the
horn, the corn is new, and needs attention. These corns
may be aggravated by additional injury, and terminate in
a more serious form, known as the superative, in which
case the sensitiveness will be greath^ increased, causing in-
tense pain, and, as a necessary consequence, acute lame
ness, or finally resulting in laying the foundation for a
quittor.

In preparing the foot for the shoe, if the horn should ex-
hibit signs of moisture or discoloration, caused b}^ the
exudation of a sappy or wet corn, open the centre of the
part indicated, and gradually remove the sole, until the
foreign matter is released. The foot must next be dressed
down until it requires a perfect level basis. For draught

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 125

horses, let the toe be shortened and the heels lowered;
apply a bar shoe the toe calkin to be set well back from the
front of the shoe. After the shoe is on put a few drops of
spirits of salts, then some hoof ointment to stop eating".
This w^ay I have cured some very bad corns.

SORENESS OF THE FLEXOR TENDON.

As its name implies, this complaint is an injury to the
back sinew, from the etfects of over-taxation. Work
horses are liable to become so affected, though it occurs
more frequently in the running- and trotting horses, by
reason of their immense strides, the force of wliicli has a
tendency — when prolonged to a certain extent — to cause
the tendons to become swollen and inflamed .

The shoe should extend well back at the heels, the calkins
being at least one-half inch higher at the heels than at the
sides of the toe, where it should be well rolled on the ground
surface, in order that the horse may be enabled to " get
over " the toe of his foot Avith but little strain on the flexor
tendon.

I have also found the scoop-toed rolling-motion shoe very
successful in the cases of trotting and running horses.
The feet should ahvays be Avell leveled and straightened,
and the toes shortened as much as safety will permit. A
prelimmary application of bandages with cold water may
be found beneficial. Make a shoe wide in web, with four
calks all put on length ways.

120 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

THE MULE.

As this '^ drudg-e of all servants" is of a different variety
of the same species as the horse, his foot also [partakes of
the difference. Upon examining- it, we find that in front
the mule's foot is round and full. From the quarters to
the heels, however, the ditference in its shape appears,
instead of inclining* at an angle equal with the face — as is
the case in the horse's lioof at the heels — it is nearl3^ per-
pendicular.

Care must be taken that the foot does not grow too long*
or too high at the heels or toe, as the outer frog- would
thus he prevented from touching tlie ground. The tendency
then would be for the hoof to contract on its ground sur-
face. I have seen the walls at the feet come together,
from coronet to ground surface, until the foot was hardly
more than half its natural diameter. The heels overlap-
ping each other, had crowded the bars and fi^g out of
sight, raising the inner spur and bars as high as the
coronar^^ band. As the crow^ding of the bars thus necessi-
tates a displacement of the internal structure of the coffin-
bone being raised behind, the w^eight presses it forward
against the laminae. The lamina? in this part being over-
tasked, soreness and finally lameness ensues.

In many instances the mule is treated for lameness or
strains, wiien the proper remedy was to have had his feet
properly dressed and suitably shod. Do not permit the
heels to grow to an extreme height; pare them down as
much as can be safely done, and reset the shoes every three

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 127

or four weeks ; leave the frog- and bars untouched and the
heels unopened.

In shoeing- the mule for draughting purposes, toe and
heel calking will be required. In such cases, have them
low, and of the same height, that the foot may be kept as
near to the ground as possible, and the animal will travel
with more ease and safety. Let the shoes be adjusted in a
manner so as to fit the wall; and to avoid the possibility of
cramping the foot, use small nails, with the nail holes
straight punched.

128 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

CHAPTER VIII.

RECIPES.

Scratches.

A disease which attacks the heels, consisting' in an
inflammation, swelling-, and consequent chapping discharge
of foetid matter, most commonly occasioned either by
inflammation of the foot, want of exercise, or by neglect
in cleaning or drying the heels carefully. In cases of this
kind, exercise is essentially necessary, to be assisted by a
few applications of my hoof ointment and careful grooming.
In inveterate cases, where the disease appears to have
become habitual, the eruption is known as grease, and
there will be more difficulty in its removal, though the same
treatment, generous dieting, good grooming, and regular
exercise will tend to recover it.

For sores like the preceding kind, make applications of
my hoof ointment. When the frog is diseased, saturate
with a piece of white cotton; press it into the opening in
the cleft until it is well filled. The outer surface of the
affected parts may be then given a slight coating, to
protect the diseased portion from foreign particles of dirt.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 129

Precautions to be Observed in Buying and Trafficking

in Horses.

In baying' a horse the greatest precaution is necessary
lest the purchaser is cheated. Every part of the horse's
body is liable to defects and derangements — it behooves us
therefore in examining a horse not to be in too great of a
hurr}^, especiallv if we have to deal with cunning and bold
jockeys, Avho know how to disguise the faults, peculiarities
and age of a horse, and how to manage to deceive the
purchaser by all kinds of tricks, the effects of which are
very useful in the hands of a designing jocke}^ In pur-
chasing, this point should be well considered, lest we should
pay for an apparent value which will sooner or later dis-
appear and cause us to regret our purchase, hence I would
advise those who do not understand this business to take
counsel with a trusty friend .instead of depending upon
their own judgment in such dubious matter.

Finally, we liave to mention a few tricks which are fre-
Ciuently resorted to by horse dealers to faciliate the sale of
horses, these tricks are angleizing, dressing, peppering and
Avhipping the horse. By angleizing a common horse, he is
made to look nobler. Dressing the feet, mane and inner
ear is a great means of embellishing the horse, for he seems
to acquire a more imposing posture, the neck looks more
slender and graceful, the hearing becomes more acute, he
is more attentive to everything that is taking place
around, and the pendulous ear looks more erect.

130 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

Balling,

To prevent the feet of horses from balling with snow, let
the frog- of the hoof and the fetlock be cleaned and well
rubbed with soft soap previous to going out in snowy
weather, it will effectually prevent their falling* from what
is termed balling. Accidents will be prevented by this
simple precaution.

String Halt.

This is a kind of lameness peculiar to the hind quarters
of the horse, which occasions a sudden jerking of the legs
upwards, when it seizes the outside muscles the horse
straddles and throws his leg^s outwards, when the inside
muscles are affected his legs are tAvitched up to his belly,
sometimes only one leg is affected ; the cure is difficult and
rarel^^ accomplished, rubbing and fomentations are rec-
ommended with daily moderate exercise, by which the
blood and spirits ma}^ be equally divided into the disordered
muscle and its corresponding- one.

Hide Bound Horses.

A horse that is hide bound grows lean, has a feverish
heat, his skin sticks to his ribs, the spine becomes harder
than usual, small boils break out on his back and yet his
appetite sometimes continues good. As this disorder is
seldom an original complaint, generally arising from some
former cause, regard must be had to that cause in the

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 131

method of cure. Bleed about ^ g-allon from the neck vein,
then take i pint of linseed oil, ^ pint spirits of wine, mix
together and rub them strong'ly against the hair, in the
warm sun in order that the skin may be relaxed and a
sweat break out, after which the horse should be well
curried and put in a warm stable with plent^^ of litter, then
feed the condition powder once a day for ten days in a bran
mash.

Strain of the Shoulder.

Horses that are weak before and lower footed with an
unsteady tread are most liable to contract this disorder,
which consists in a twist or sprain of the strong muscles
that attach the shoulder to the body; taking up the foot
and bending the limb will further i)rove the existence of a
strain, if the horse evince pain, whereas if it lie in the foot
the lame leg can be moved as supple as the other, the
difficulty of ascertaining the real seat of lameness is some-
times so great, being entirel^^ invisible, as to cause many
expedients to find the exact place, for this purpose hold up
his head high and after comparing and finding no dift'er-
ence in the shoulders, let go the head, when he would be
observed to flinch upon bringing it towards the aft'ected
side; let a person rattle some corn in a seive at a distance
behind him, alternating the sides, he will be observed to
evince pain in turning his neck and straining the affected
side, not so the pain in the foot ; the horse Avill step short
and throw out his leg in a semi-circle when lie has received
a prick in shoeing, this last sign is not to be taken as final
indication of a strain in shoulder, the foot is to be exam.^

132 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

ined and the smith questioned as to his skill and care-
fulness in shoeing.

Cure, if the injury be considerable, as when a horse has
been thrown, he should be bled at once in the plate vein,
a laxative ball or purgative must follow, proportioned to
the actual state of his body at the time ; I would advise a
liniment for the same to be used once a day for ten days, of
1 pint of alcohol, ^ pint linseed oil, 4 ozs. arnica, 2 ozs.
squills, and 2 ozs. spirits of hartshorn.

To Cure Wind Galls.

On the first appearance of wind galls the cure should
be attempted b}^ restringents and bandage, for Avhich
purpose let the swelling be bathed twice a day with
vinegar or a decoction of oak bark and alum, if this method
after a proper trial should not be found to succeed, some
authors have advised that the swelling be pierced with an
awl, or opened with a knife, but mild blistering is in gener-
al preferred to these methods, a little of the blistering oint-
ment should be laid on every other day for a week, which
brings on a plentiful discharge, but generally in a few
days dries up, when the horse may be put to his Avork.
This is the only method to save scars, which paring leaves
behind and unless skillfully executed too often leaves a f idl-
ness of the joint with stiffness.

Wind'Broken Horses.

This disorder is commonly caused by surfeiting, violent
exercise when the stomach is full, or by being ridden or

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 133

driven into water when hot and sweaty, or from an obsti-
nate cokl not well cured. For the cure of this disorder I
w^ould advise that the horse should have good nourishment,
plent^^ of corn and little hay, and that every day the w^ater
given him be impregnated with half an ounce of saltpetre,
and two drachms of sal-ammoniac. The hay made of white
clover is good for this disorder.

To Save Horses from Fire,

Horses are frequently burnt to death when barns and
stables are on fire, OAving to the impossibility of leading or
driving them out of the building, while their eyes are
dazzled by the blaze, I assure all that by simply covering
their eyes with a bag, coat, or pocket-handkerchief, they
may be led out of danger without trouble or difficulty.

Weak Eyes or Hooks.

First, rowel below the eyes and in the jaws, then if the
eyes are much inflamed bleed two gallons from the neck
vein, and use the eye wash or eye lotion every morning ;
move the rowels every day, and let them remain in 15 or 20
days. If the eye shows a white speck in the centre there
is no cure for it — the nerve of the eye is afi'ected, but as
long as the eye runs water there is hopes of it, or the
eyelids swell. All young horses are liable to have weak
eyes.

134 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

Eye Lotion — Hoiv to Make It.

Take a good quality of linseed oil, 1 pint, add to it 2
ounces of spirits of ether, g-um camphor \ oz. Let it stand
in some warm place until the oil cuts the g"um, and it is fit
for use. Apply it to the eye ever^^ morning- with a feather ;
g-et it into the eye as well as possible. This is better in the
winter than the wash, but the wash is best for summer.

Eye Wash,

Take sugar of lead 3 drachms, white vitrol 1 drachm,
laudanum 1 dr., add to this 1 quart of soft water ; let it
stand for 6 or 8 hours and it is fit for use. Wash the ejQ
out well with cold water ; follow this up for 3 or 4 weeks,
and then if the e^^es are not much better, bleed and give
mild physic. The horse should be kept on low diet and not
overheated or worked too hard. Scalded bran and oats are
good.

Hoof Bound, or Tender Feet.

Cause of this is fever in the feet. Founder or gravel, the
symptoms are hot feet and a drawing in one inch from the
top of the feet at the heels. Never have the feet spread at
the heels nor rasped about the nail holes, for it will do the
feet an injury. Follow the directions given here. Use
either the hoof ointment or the hoof liquid ; apply it ac-
cording to the directions. For lioof bound or tender feet,
apply it all around the top of the hoof down one inch every

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 135

third clay ; if for split hoof, apply it every day. First have
a stiff shoe on the foot and cleanse the cut or crack. Never
cut or burn for it.

Hoof Ointment.

Take rosin 4 ozs., bees-wax G ozs., lard 2 lbs., melt tog-eth-
er; pour it into a pot and add 3 ozs. of turpentine, finely
pulverized verdig-ris, enough to color the mixture green, 1
lb. of tallow, stir all until it gets cool. This is one of the
best medicines for the hoof ever used. It is good for calks
or bruises of the feet. Follow directions.

Hoof Liquid.

For tender feet, hoof bound, etc. Linseed oil or neats-
foot oil, ipint of either, turpentine 4 ozs., oil of tar 6 ozs.,
origanum 13 ozs., shake well and apply it as the directions
for the ointment tell. This is the best if the horse has been
lame long — it penetrates the hoof sooner than the ointment
— both of them should be applied at night, so that the
horse can go to work in the morning-. He need not lose
one day's work.

Lung Fever.

Symptoms— The horse is taken with a chill and then
breaks out in a cold, clammy sweat, holds down his head,
never offers to lay down, but groans when made to move,
ears and legs deathly cold. The cause of this is change
from warm to cold stable, and too much cold water when
warm.

136 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

Cure — Bleed 4 g-allons from the neck vein, and take 1 oz.
of aconite, add to it | g-allon of cold water ; drench him
with one gill of it every three hours, blister him over the
lung's, then give him water to drink that hay has been
boiled in, add to each gallon of it 1 oz. of gum arable, and
^ oz. of spirits of nitre, give this every four hours, rub well,
foment and rub the legs with alcohol and camphor until
they g'et Avarm — do not move him. Keep him in the open
stall if hot weather.

Cleansing Powders.

This is used when the blood is out of order, good to re-
store lost appetite, yellow water, and to be used where it is
spoken of. Take 1 lb. of good finger, 4 ozs. of powdered
gentian, 1 oz. of nitre, | oz. of crude antimony, mix it well,
give one large spoonful every day in wet food. This is per-
fectly safe.

Hoof Evil, Thrush or G7^ease Heels.

Cause of this disease is over feed, and a want of exercise,
or standing in a filthy stable. Symptoms — A discharge of
offensive matter from the frog of the foot and round the
top of the foot ; often the frog of the foot will come out,
then a stiff shoe must be put on to keep the foot from con-
tracting.

Cure — Bleed and ph^^sic, poultice the foot with boiled
turnips, and some fine ground charcoal, this must be done
every night for two or three nights, then wash the foot
clean Avith castile soap and soft water, and apply the blue

ARTISTIC HORSE -SHOEING. 137

ointment every da3^ Keep the horse on a clean floor and
he will be well in twelve days.

To Make the Blue Ointment,

Take the ointment of rosin 4 ozs., ^ oz. finely ground ver-
dig-ris, 2 ozs. turpentine, 2 lbs. mutton tallow, ^ oz. oil orig-
anum, I oz. tr. of iodine, mix well. This is one of the
best medicines that can be made, for scratches, hoof-evil or
cuts, and is good to apply on fistula after the rowels are
taken out.

To Make the White Ointment,

For rheumatism, sprains, burns, sweUings, bruises, or any
inflammation on Man or Beast, chapped hands, lips, black
eyes or any bruise. Take fresh butter 2 lbs.,tr. of iodine
i oz., oil origanum 2 ozs., mix well for fifteen minutes and it
is fit to use. Apply at night, rub it well with your hand — if
for human flesh lay on warm flannel.

Nasal Gleet or Discharge from the Eye and Nose.

The cause of this is neglect in distemper, or overheat or
cold. This is a white discharge and is not contagious, and
can be cured.

Cure— Stop working him; take of alum i lb., i lb.
of rosin, 4 lb. blue vitriol, grind and mix well with
I lb. of ginger; give one large spoonful every night and
morning; bleed one gallon. Keep him out of the wet and
not work him.

138 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

Disease of the Kidneys,

Caused by feeding- dirt or musty grain, hard drawing,
overloading-, or too much turpentine.

Cure — Blister over the kidneys, and give the following
pills every day : Take 1 oz. rosin, 1 oz. juniper berries
ground fine, 3 ozs. flour, make into a stiff paste, divide into
7 pills, give one every night, use the cleansing powder
every day ; if the horse has trouble to get up when down,
swing him up for two weeks and give no food but that
which is clean — this is half the cure. Do not work or ride
him.

Black Liniment.

This is good to apply on poll evil — fistula. Take of lin-
seed oil i pint, tr. of iodine 3 ozs., turpentine 4 ozs., oil of
origanum 1 oz., shake Avell and apply it every day, rub in
with the hand, wash the part clean before applying it.
This is good on any swelling.

Sore Month or Tongue — Called Canker or Thrush.

Symptoms — The mouth runs water; the horse throws his
hay out of his mouth. The cause of this is often from
frosty bits being put into his mouth or by eating poisonous
herbs.

Cure — Take of borax 3 drachms, 2 dr. of sugar of lead, ^
oz. alum, 1 pint vinegar, 1 pint of sage tea, shake together
and wash the mouth out every morning. Give no hay for
twelve days.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 139

Hoiv to Remove Wcu^ts.

Cut them out by the roots— Take the Tenaculum or hook,
run it throug-h the wart and draw and cut round it, and
draw it out ; if it should bleed too much, take 5 g-rains of
nitre of silver and 1 oz. of water, Avet a spong'e and merely
touch the part with this wash, and it will stop the blood,
treat as a fresh wound, every time you wash it scratch the
scab off so the scar will be small. This is the only sure
way to treat them.

Bots.

Symptoms — Ver^^ much like those of colic— the ears and
legs are hot, and sometimes the sweat will start in the flank
and breast.

Cure— Make % gallon of sag-e tea, add to it 1 oz.
of alum, drench Avith one-half of it, and if he is not
better in thirty or forty minutes, give the balance, and
bleed 1 gallon. In six hours give a mild physic; this
will never fail if given in time. Never give turpentine, as
many do, it will affect the kidney's.

Colic.

Symptoms— The horse lays down and gets up often, and
looks around at his flank ; his ears and legs are cold . Cause
of this is cold Avater and change of food, over ([uantity of
acid collecting in the stomach.

Cure— Take laudanum i oz., sulphuric ether 1 oz., \
pint of water, milk warm, drench, and if not better in

140 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

forty or fifty minutes, bleed and repeat the drench. Do
not allow the horse to be moved while sick.

Founder in the First Stages.

S^^mptoms — The horse is stiff, his feet hot, and often
trembles, very thirsty.

Cure — Bleed from the neck vein 3 or 4 gallons, or until
he falls, then give the following : 4 oz. of aloes, 4 drachms
gamboge, ^ oz. of oil of sassafras ; make this into a pill,
give it, and give him all the sassafras tea he will drink ;
turn up his feet and fill them full of boiling hot lard, bathe
his legs in hot water and rub them well. This will never
fail to cure in fortj^-eight hours.

Sick Stomach — Debility.

S^^mptoms — The horse refuses to eat, thirsty, hangs his
head, reels when he walks, eyes are dull.

Cure — Bleed ^ gallon, then if he Avill eat a mash, give
him one; give no hay ; then give him J oz. rhubarb every
night until his boAvels move, then take of gentian root 4 ozs.,
fenugreek 2 ozs., nitre ^ oz.; mix and give a large tea-
spoonful ever}^ da}^ ; do not give too much to eat when his
appetite returns

Distemper,

S^nnptoms — Swelling under the jaws ; can't swallow.

Cure — Bleed 3 gallons and physic; then if a tumor is
found under the jaws, open it — if not apply the general lini-
ment to the swelling, or the white ointment — make it break

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 141

on the outside if possible, then give the cleansing* powder
for ten or twelve days in mashes. Turn him out if you can
get pasture.

General Liniment,

Turpentine | pint, linseed oil | pint, aqua ammonia 4
ozs., tincture of iodine 1 oz.; shake it all well. This is used
for difTerent thing's spoken of in the different recipes, sores,
swelling's or sprains.

Broken Knees.

This is caused hy the horse falling- on the knees. First
cleanse the part of all g-ravel and dirt, then wash them.
Take 2 g'ills alcohol, ^ oz. of arnica, tie the knees up in
coarse linen, and if the^^ swell in twenty-four hours, bleed
and keep the bowels open with mashes, and then apply
the blue or iodine ointment every other day. Do not use
the horse until he is perfectly Avell, or it may cause the
knees to break out aii'ain.

"•&"

Worms.

Symptoms — The horse eats, but will not thrive; his bell^^
gets big, his hair sta^^s.

Cure — Give 1 quart of strong tea made of wormwood,
at night ; the next day give 7 drachms of aloes, 2 drachms
of calomel, make it into a ball and give it; give no cold
water for forty-eight hours, make it milk warm; give him
two or three bran mashes, and some of the cleansing pow-

142 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

del" ; if he shows any more symptoms, repeat the dose in
three AveelvS. This will never fail.

Physic Ball.

One-half ounce of aloes, 3 drachms of g-ambog-e, 20 drops
of the oil of Juniper, make it into a pill with a few drops of
molasses; wrap it up carefully in a thin piece of greased
tissue paper ; draw out the tongue Avith the left hand, place
the gag in the mouth, and run the pill back with the right
hand until it drops off ; let the head down and give a sup of
water. First prepare the horse by giving- one or two
mashes.

Iodine Ointment.

Get 1 oz. of the grease iodine, 1 pint of alcohol, let
this stand in the sun two days, and this is the tincture of
iodine. Take 2 ozs. of tincture and | lb. of lard; mix
them well, and you have the iodine ointment. This is used
wherever the recipes refer to the ointment.

Big or Milk Leg.

This is brought on b^^ a hurt, a want of action in the ab-
sorbent system — it is dropsy of the muscles of the leg.

Cure — Apply the liquid blister every three hours until it
blisters ; then in six hours grease with soft oil of any kind ;
then in eiglit days wasli the part clean and apply it again —
repeat it three or four times, then use the iodine ointment.
If this does not remove it all appl^^ the spavin medicine.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEIXG. 143

Liquid Blister,

Take of alcohol 1 pint, turpentine | pint, aqua ammonia
4 ozs., oil of orig-anum 1 oz., apply this as spoken of
eveiy three hours until it blisters. Do not repeat oftener
than once in eig'ht daj^s, or seven at least, or it will kill the
hair.

Hoiv to Tame a Wikl Horse.

Halter him, and then take the warts from the leg, dry
and powder, then blow it up his nose ; then take oil of aro-
dium, drop a few drops on your hand and rub it over his
nose — this will make him follow you and you can do any-
thing you wish.

Hoiv to Make a Horse Stand to he Castrated.

Put chloroform on a sponge and hold it to his nose a few
seconds until he closes his eyes ; remove it and halter him.
This can be given to perform any operation. You can buy
it at the drug- store for seventy-five cents per pound.

Spavin and Ring-hone Medicine.

Take of cantharides 2 ozs., mercurial ointment 4 ozs.,
tincture of iodine 3 ozs., turpentine 4 ozs., corrosive
sublimate 3 drachms ; mix all well with 2 pounds of lard,
color it if you like. Follow the directions here given.

If for ring-bone or bone-spavin, cut off the hair from the
part affected, and merely grease the lump with the oint-
ment. Rub it in well with the naked hand. In two da^^s

144 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

gTease the part with lard, and in four days wash it ott' with
soap and water, and apply the ointment ag-ain. So repeat
it every four days. If for wind-galls or bog-spavin or curb,
apply the ointment eveiy six da^'s.

Jolinston^s Liniment.

Take oil of origanum 1 oz., alcohol \ x^int, oil of cedar
I oz., oil of cloves \ oz., turpentine | oz., olive oil 8 ozs.,
shake well. This is used for most all complaints of the
muscles.

Opedeldoc.

Take alcohol ^ g-allon, 2 pounds of castile soap, 4 ozs.
of gum camphor, 2 ozs. oil of amber, place the alcohol into
a pot in hot water, shave up the soap and keep it hot
until all dissolves, and 3^ou have the original opedeldoc.

Fresh Wounds,

First, stop the blood by t^ing the arteries, or by. apply-
ing the following wash : Four gi'ains of nitre of silver,
1 oz. of soft water ; wet the wound witli this and then
di\aw the edges together by stitches one incli apart, then
wash clean, and if any swelling in twent^'-four hours, bleed
and apply the blue ointment, or any of the ointments
spoken of. Keep the bowels open.

Green Ointment.

Take G pounds lard, put into a 10-g-allon kettle, add 2
gallons of water, cut jimpson weeds and fill them in and

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 145

cook four to six hours, slow, until tlie water boils off, then
put it into jars, add to each pound of ointment 1 oz. of
turpentine. This is a g-ood and cheap stable ointment, for
scratches, galls, etc.

Lampers.

All 3^oung- horses are liable to this trouble— it is nothing-
but intlammation of the g-ums.

Cure— Bleed or scarify the gums ; never burn off for it
spoils the teeth and adds to the cause of the disease. Give
a bran mash ; rub the gums with salt. Give the cleansing-
powders.

To Make Old Horses Young, or Get Up and Howl.

Take the tincture of asafoetida 1 oz., tincture of cantha-
rides 1 oz., oil of anise 1 oz., oil of cloves 1 oz., oil of cinna-
mon 1 oz., antimony 2 ozs., fenugreek 1 oz., 4th proof brand^^
^ gallon; let it stand ten or twelve days, and give ten
drops in a pail of water, or to a gallon.

To Make Ointment Like Sloan's.
Take mutton tallow 4 lbs., bees-wax i lb,, turpentine 3
ozs., melt over a slow fire and when partly cold add the
turpentine and you have the same ointment Sloan sells for
everything-. Try it and prove its value.

Butt en Farcen.

Cause — Overheat, high feeding, and no exercise. Symp-
toms, the limbs swell up and break out in running- sores.

146 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

Cure — In the first stages bleed and physic, then take of
g^entian 2 oz., g-ing-er 3 oz., make a stiff paste and divide
into twelve parts, add to each separately 10 grains of arse-
nic, make into pills, give one morning and evening, until it
makes his mouth sore, then Avash the sores clean, and apply
the blue ointment to them. If not better in three weeks
bleed and repeat the pills. Appl^^ the different liniments to
the legs if they swell. Be careful not to get the matter on
a wound, for it ivill kill you !

Water Farcy.
This is a swelling along under the chest and forward to
the breast. Bleed and row^el in the breast and all along
the swelling, six inches apart ; apply the general liniment
to the swelling, move the rowels every da}^, let them stay
in until the swelling goes down. Give soft food, mashes,
with the cleansing powders in it. This is dropsy, and there
are many causes for it.

Diabetes.

Too free discharge of urine, or cannot hold his water.

Cure — Give | oz. tincture of cantharides every ten or
twelve days, and if not entirely well repeat it, and bleed 1
gallon from the neck ; feed clean food. The cause is rotten
or musty grain, or too free use of turpentine. Keep him
open with mashes and green food.

Contraction of the Tendons in Neck.
Symptoms — Often the head is drawn to one side ; again,
the horse cannot get his head to the ground. Cause of this
is spraining the horse, and rheumatism contracts.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 147

Cure— If it is taken in the first stag-es, bleed from the
neck 2 gallons, then foment or bathe the part well with hot
water ; rub it dry, and take the general liniment and apply
two or three times a day, which will cure it. If it is of long
standing blister along the part affected, with liquid blister ;
do this every three weeks until he is well, and rub with
white ointment.

For Rheumatism.

Take alcohol J pint, oil of origanum i oz., cayenne J oz.,
or gum myrrh ^ oz., 1 teaspoonful of lobelia, and let all
stand over-night, then bathe the part affected. This is the
best medicine I ever used.

Heaves,

Take 4 ozs. balsam fir, 4 ozs. balsam copaiva, J oz.
asafoetida, 4 ozs. vinegar, 3 ozs. alcohol. One teaspoonful
every day. Tartar emetic, as much as will lay on a ten
cent piece, every three days.

Dope to Trade on.

Four ozs. black antimony, 2 ozs. cantharides. A small
spoonful twice a day will fat a horse in ten days.

Condition Poivders.

One pound fenugreek seed, 1 lb. anise seed, ^ lb. cream
tartar, i squills, 2 ozs. antimony. One tablespoonful twice
a day in a bran mash.

148 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

^ Gargling Oil.

One cjuart linseed oil, 1 pint barbadoes tar, 1 pint turpen-
tine, 4 ozs. oil of vitriol.

To Spot a White Horse Black.

Three ozs. litherage, G ozs. quick lime ; beat it fine and
mix together, put into a pan and pour a sharp lye over it,
then boil it and you Avill have a fat substance swim on the
top with which rub on the horse in such places as you desire
to have black.

To Make a White Star.

Take a knife and shave the hair otf. Put oil of vitriol on
the spot you design white, with a feather.

Stoppage of the Urine.

Symptoms — Frequent attempt to urinate, looking- around
at his sides, lying- down, rolling- and stretching-.

Cure — Take ^ lb. alum, 3 drachms oil of camphor, grind
and mix. Make this in three pills. Give one every day
with a drench made of a small spoonful of saltpetre, and 3
ozs. water.

Lock-Jaiv.

Bleed largely and apply chloroform to the nose until the
jaws fly open. Put a gag in the mouth, and 2 ozs. tincture
asafoetida every six hours, and a dose of physic. This will
cure if there is any ciu^e.

ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING. 140

To Stop Blood.

If 3^ou can g-et hold of the arteiy tie it up, if not use the
following-: 10 grains nitrate of silver, and l ozs. of water.
Apply it to the wound and it will stop bleeding immediate-
ly-. Apply this to warts after cutting them otf.

For Killing Lice.

Take ^ pound of sulphur, 1 oz. spirits turpentine, mix
well with 3 lbs. of lard. Do not let the animal get wet.
Give a few doses of condition powders.

Loss of Appetite.

Bleed half a gallon. Give a few doses of condition
powders. If he lacks life, tie a small piece of asafcetida on
his bit.

Big Head.

Four ozs. Venice turpentine, 2 ozs. Spanish flies, 2 ozs.
oil origanum, 2 ozs. spirits hartshorn, 2 drs. corrosive
sublimate.

Thu7nps.

Symptoms— The horse is almost exhausted, breathing
is very hard. The ditference between thumps and lung-
fever is distress of the heart, which you may hear at a
distance of twenty feet.

Cure— Bleed largely and it will stop suddenly. Dissolve

150 ARTISTIC HORSE-SHOEING.

1 dr. of nitre and a larg-e spoonful of salt in ^ pint water,
drench every six hours for three times. Do not work the
horse for a week.

To Cure Knee-Sprung Horses, or for Cord Soreness or
Enlargement of the Joints, or Knuckling.

Take 2 ozs. extract of Goullard's lead, 1 quart good cider
vineg-ar. Let stand three or four hours and bathe cords or
parts affected every night and morning. Use a bandagfe
if convenient ; will remove all fever or inflammation.

How to Tell the Age of a

A POCKET MANUAL OF GREAT VALUE.

Written by PROF. HEARD, a member of the Royal
College of Veterinary Surg-eons, London, and one of the
Professors of the New York College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The importance of knowing
how to tell the age of a horse
by an examination of his teeth,
cannot be over-estimated by
those who have occasion to
BUY HORSES. Such knowl-
edi^e is VALUABLE alike to
the FARMER,MERCHANT
and MECHANIC, and may
'often save many dollars to its
possessor. By a study of this
book, all may learn in a short
time to become experts. En-
gravings are given showing the
shape of the teeth from the age of Two-and-a-Half Years
up to Twenty Years. The TRICKS of horse traders
who *'' Doctor-Up" the teeth of OLD HORSES to make
them LOOK YOUNG, and thus deceive purchasers, are
fully EXPOSED, and the matter explained so clearly that
no one need be cheated. This is the most practical book of
tlie kind ever published. There is a chapter also on Horse
Character, or How to Tell the Disposition of a Horse ;
whether Kind and Gentle, or Vicious and Unreliable.
Bound in extra cloth, with ink side-stamp. Price 30 cents.
Sent by mail on receipt of this amount in postage stamps
or otherwise. Address

M. T. RICHARDSON, Publisher,

57 ROSE STREET, NEW YORK.

^^ "TS^^ tll^ llXMI II II ML^. II II - ^^ y.^

(3 - ^l^li^lgJMgJ

SPAVIN CURE.

The most successful remedy ever discovered for the cure
of Spavins, SpHut, Curb, King-bone, Callous, Galls,
Swellings, Wounds, Strains, Founder, or
any lameness, and to remove un-
natural enlargements of
the joints, etc.

I^" Remember we claim it will COMPLETELY
remove a Bone Spavin, Splint, etc., without BLIS-
TERING or causing any sore whatever.

€8END FOR CIRCULARS GIVING POSITIVE PROOF. ^

Dr. B. J. KENDALL COMPANY,

EITOSBUEGH FALLS, VT., U. S, A.

Proprietors of Kendall's Spavin Cure,

AND PUBLISHERS OF

A Treatise on The Horse and His Diseases," and
" The Doctor at Hoie."

$1000 Worth of Law for SI.50

" How to be Your Own Lawyer " is the title of an entirely new book of over 500
pages, adapted for use in every State and Territory in the Union, and is by far the best and
most complete work of the kind ever published. It gives instruction on all the most important
law points which a Farmer, Mechanic, Merchant, or anybody else would want to know
about, and if carefully studied and kept at hand for consultation when needed will save any
man, in the course of an ordinary business career, hundreds, if not thousands of dollars It
is a lawyer whose retaining fee (the price of the book $1.50) has to be paid but once in a
life-time. Plain and concise directions are given and forms furnished for the transiic-

tion of all kinds of business, and the pre-
paration of every description of legal docu-
ment in common use, such as Agreements,
Bonds, Deeds, Leases, Notes, Mortl
gages. Wills, Etc. It takes up and treats
in alphabetical order over 70 different sub-
jects, as follows: Acknowledgment and
Proof of Deeds, Administrators, Affi-
davits, Agents, Agreements, Appren-
tices. Arbitration, Assignments, Auc-
tions, Bankruptcy, BiUsofSale, Bonds
Bills of Exchange, Cattle and Dog
Laws, Collection of Debts, Common
Carriers, Consideration, Contracts,
Copyright, Corporate Associations!
Custom House, Deeds, Divorce, Dower,
Dratts, Executors, Exemption Laws]
Farmers, Fences, Guaranty, Guardian
and Ward, Highways, Hotels and
Boarding-Houses, Husband and Wife,
Insolvency, Insurance (Life, tire, and
Marine), Interest, Internal Revenue,
Landlord and Tenant, Law of Place.
Leases, Letters of Credit, Letter-Writ-
ing, Libel, Slander, Licenses, Lien
Laws Limitation of Actions, Marriage,
Master and Servant, Mining Laws,
Minor, Mortgages, Naturalization,
Pensions, Parent and Child, Parlia-
mentary Rules, Partnership, Patents,
Payment and Tender, Personal Pro-
perty, Partition, Power of Attorney,
Promissory Notes, Real Estate, Re-
ceipts and Releases, Rights of Married
Women, Schools, Shipping, Subscrip-
tion Papers (How to Draw), Trade -Marks,
Trespass, Trustsand Trustees, Vessels,
Voters, Wills, Warranty of Horses.
There is also a very complete Dictionary of
Legal Terms; Tables for the Computation of Interest; Measurement of Land, Li.mbek,
Logs, Gkain'; Legal Weight of a Bushel of Grain, Seed, and Roots; Quantity of Seed re-
quired to plant an Acre ; Table showing Paper Required to make a Book of any Size ; U. S.
Land Measure; Number of Brick Required to Construct any building; Presidential Vote
from 1824 to 1885 'Time for holding Elections in different States; Population of the U. S.;
Prices of various Commodities for fifty-three years; Valuable Rules for the use of Farmers
and Mechanics ; and much other important information. A copy of this valuable work, hand-
somely bound in extra cloth, with ink side-stamp, will be mailed to any address on receiot of
$1.50. Address ^

M. T. RICHARDSON, Publisher,

57 Rose Street, New York.

THIS WILL INTEREST

HORSEMEN

Do not wait until your Horses or Cattle are taken sick, but make
yourself acquainted with Huiiiplireys* Veterinary I^Iedi-

cineSf what they are, and what they are used for. You will find them
a .ijreat friend in time of need. Our medicines are considered the most
reliable in the market by those that have used them, and all we ask is
that you give them a trial.

-{ SPRAINS, y use -^ lnOOM

BRUISES, I

I and Alili PAIN, j

Kor-^ SPRAINS, SAIWARITAX

I.1]M]?IE]VT.

GILT - EOGE HOOF OINTMENT

It is the best known Hoof Ointment for

Weak Quarters, Cracked Heels, Quarter Cracks, Toe Cracks,
Contracted Feet, Corns, Founders, Etc.

One of the finest articles for Horses, Cattle, Hogs and Fowls, is

DO YOU WANT A BLISTER?

If so, use Huiiiplireys' Spavin Bli»iter for Spavins, Ring-
bones, Splints, Curbs, Sprained Tendons, Sprained Ligaments, Sprained
Joints, Sore Throat, etc.

Our goods may be found at Druggists, Grocers, Flour and Feed
Men, Harness-Makers and Horse-Shoers.

Hiiiiiplireys' yeterinary anfl Family MefliciDe Manf £ Co,

Read tlic following pagCi

1)0 YOU OWN A HORSE?
IS HE A GOOD ONE?

DO YOU WANT TO KEEP HDH

If SO, always keep a supply of lliiiiiplircysi' Veterinary IWecl-

ieiiie!< in your stable, and one of the best investments you can make is
$i.oo for a bottle of

Humphreys' Celebrated Colic Cure.

NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL!

TTSB

HU3IPHREYS'

CARBOLIC

HEALING

POWDER

for all kinds of Wounds or Sores on Horses and Cattle.

WHEN YOU ARE IN NEED OF A SAFE AND RELIABLE CATHARTIC FOR

A HORSE TRY

HUMPHREYS'

SMALL AND EASY TO GIVE. FULL DIRECTIONS WITH EACH

PACKAGE.

Price, - - 50 Cents.

Sent by mail to any addrcsti on receipt of Price. Address

Hninplireys' Yeteriiiary and Fanily Mefliciie Manf £ Co.,

Kead tlie preceding page.

THE " PBELBR"

^OT^

Horse-Slioers and Wagon-Makers.

SAVES TIME, MONEY AND BACK- ACHE.

Made of the finest saw steel, hollow ; first stamped into form with
gouge-shaped teeth, then sharpened by special machiner3% riveted, tem-
pered by secret process and finally re-sharpened for use.

When dull, itmaj" be again sharpened by a few moments' use of a
special tool sent with each rasp, requiring much less skill or practice
than the filing of a saw, and so on indefinitely.

Each rasp is guaranteed to do more cutting than twenty-five com-
mon rasps, in one-fourth the time and with much greater ease to the
workman.

In horse-shoeing it dispenses at once with the Buttress and Knife
and their attendant evils, prfjiaring the hoofs of nervous or vicious
horses for the shoe befoi-e they suspect anything being done, and famil-
iarity with its use renders the common rasp a useless commodity.

In wood-working, on hard, cross-grained or endwise timber, it dis-
counts the draw and spoke-shave out of sight.

In these days of close competition no first-class mechanic can afford
to be without the best possible tools.

SBND FOR CIRCUI^AR.

JAMES L. INGALSBE,

SOUTH HARTFORT), WASHINGTON CO., N. Y.

THIE —

Manufactured by the

FOWLER NAIL COMPANY,

SEYMOUR, CONN.

READ THE FOLLOWINO.

[From the Spirit of the Times, A ugustsj, 1884.^

The Vulcan Nail.— We are frequently asked by
blacksmiths, farriers, and horse owners, where a good
horse-shoe nail can be found, for since the hand-makni-
process has ceased, it is impossible to find a nail that will
take its place. After thorough inquiry from large, public
and private stablemen, who have given the nail of the Fow-
ler Company a thorough test, we do not hesitate to say
that there never has been a better nail put in the market.
In material and manufacture it is unsurpassed. Address
Fowler Nail Co., Seymour, Conn.

PROF. RICH RECOMMENDS THE VULCAN
NAIL TO BE USED IN ALL CASES.