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TUFTS UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

3 9090 013 418 039

JOHNA.SEAVERNS

Webster Family Library of Veterinary Medicine
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at
Tufts University
200 Westboro Road
North Grafton, MA 01536

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The Chisfw[m Qalkiy

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MAGNER'S

ABC GUIDE

TO

SENSIBLE HORSESHOEING

A SIMPLE AND PRACTICAL TREATISE ON
THE ART OF SHOEING HORSES. INCLUD-
ING CHAPTERS ON-METHODS OF MAK-
ING A HORSE STAND TO BE SHOD. . . .
HOW TO TELL THE AGE OF A HORSE,
ETC., ETC

OyER 200 ILLUSTRATIONS

Seventeen Colored plates

BY

D. MAGNER, D.V. S.

Author of the "-New System of Taming and Educating Horses,"
"Standard Horse and Stock Book,'' etc.

The Wkrner Co.

NE\?V YORK AKRON, O. CHICAGO

Copyright, 1899,

BY

THE WERNER COMPANY

BAD TO SHOE.

THE average of these cases are very simple and easy to manage,
but there will occasionally be found among them horses of the
most difficult character to control. Ordinary cases of this
character were of almost daily occurrence, and usually required but
a few minutes' time to make them stand gently to have the feet
handled as desired. But we were liable at any time to have a
horse of this character that would test our power to the utmost,
and such cases frequently made us a great deal of trouble. In
the chapter on "Colt-Training" I have given instructions on

Fig. 255. — As a Vicious Horse will Sometimes Act while being Shod.

handling the feet, page 108, which may be referred to in connection
with this.

By the use of a little patience and tact, it is rare that even very
sensitive colts cannot be made to submit the feet to be handled and
pounded upon as desired ; and once done, unless there is some spe-
cial cause for disturbance, it can always be done. It is true there is
occasionally a young horse that is naturally so wild and vicious as
to resist all ordinary good management in the effort to take up and
handle the feet ; but with our present methods of treatment, even
these cases submit readily to control in a short time.

If a colt of ordinary good character, give a short lesson with the
First Form of War Bridle, when the feet can be taken up without dif-
ficulty. The efficiency of this simple method of control, in making

(3)

4 BAD TO SHOE.

colts submit to be ridden, led, or handled, is very remarkable ; and
in no respect is it greater than in allowing the feet to be taken up and
handled. Pull right and left sharply a few times with the War Bri-
dle, or sufficiently to make the colt come around without being
pulled upon ; then step back, holding the cord rather tight, pass the
right hand lightly down the hip and leg to the fetlock, and lift the
foot gently ; at the same time, with the left hand, press hard
against the hip, so as to throw the weight of the body upon the op-
posite leg, which will enable taking up the foot more easily. If sen-
sitive, lift it but a few inches at first, and then let it rest again upon
the ground ; then again slide the hand lightly down the limb, and
lift a little higher than before, repeating until in a position to rest
upon the knees with the gambrel under the arm. With the right

Fig. 256— As the Horse will Standi after Treatment.

hand hammer the foot lightly, put it dov\ n and take it up a few
times, then stop and caress.

This point made, bring the foot gently forward, in position as if
to clinch down the nails. Should the colt at any tim.- j<rk or pull
the foot away, let go and give a few sharp pulls with lltt cord, and
go on as before until the foot can be taken up and hainu red upon
as desired. The opposite foot must be treated in the same way.
To take up the fore foot, rest the left hand upon the shoulder, pass
the right lightly down the limb to the fetlock, and at i h(^ instant of
lifting the foot, as before explained, with the other hand press upon
the shoulder to throw the weight upon the oj^posite leg, which will
relax the near one, and make it easy to be taken up. Take up and
let down a few times, tapping it lightly, and repeat until it can be
pounded upon quite hard ; thcii bring forward upon the knees, and
proceed the same as before. The foot should not be held at any
time so long, or grasped so awkwardly, as to produce fatigue, or

PALLIATIVE TREATMENT. 5

frighten so that it would excite inclination to pull away. By being
careful at first but little difificulty will be experienced in making any
ordinary colt submit the feet to be taken up and hammered upon as
desired. Should the colt be so wild or vicious as to resist the War
Bridle, subject to Second Method until so dizzy and helpless that
he stops turning.

While the head is still tied around, as before, rest one hand
upon the hip, pass the other quickly from the gambrel down to the
fetlock, and lift the foot forward. If submitted to, but little more need

Fig. 5^>/ - ruSliiig {he Fool Back while Controlled with the War Bridie.

be done ; but 'f resisteci, send aiound again until h'-Ipless, when the
effort should be repeated. If .submitted to, untie the halter and re-
peat the handling. Sometimes, after "the head is given freedom and
the dizziness passes off. the colt may, unexpectedly, kick violently.
To avoid being struck, stand well forward, and far enough out from
the hip to be out of range of the foot, and, as before, while balancing
the body by resting the left hand upon the hip, with the right cau-
tiously, but firmly, lift the foot lorward. Should the colt kick
now, the hand will simply be carried back with the foot without
doing harm. When the foot is freely submitted, step forward
so as to come well under the hip, bringing the foot upon the
knees. If in this position he kicks, the foot will simply be thrown
out and back from the knees, so that there will be no danger of ac-

6

BAD TO SHOE.

cident. If the case is still unmanageable or doubtful, put on the
double-draw hitch form of War Bridle. While an assistant is
holding the cord (see Fig. 257), buckle a rein, or tie a cord around
the foot below the fetlock. Get directly behind, out of reach, and
pull the foot back. This will usually be responded to by a sharp
kick, or the foot pulled forward with energy. If so, let the War
Bridl'e be jerked upon once or twice as punishment. Repeat the pull-
ing at short intervals until the foot will finally be given back freely,

Fig. 258.— The Coll as He will Stand affer Treatment.

and rested upon the toe. Now step forward to a point a little back
of the shoulder, with one hand take a short hold of the strap, at the
same time resting the other upon the horse's back, and pull the foot
forward repeatedly. Usually this will be submitted to ; if so, catch
the foot and bring it forward and back, to test its flexibility or sub-
mission to control. If, however, it is resisted, or the control is still
doubtful, pass the strap over the neck, back between the fore legs,
and up under the part over the back. Pull short enough to bring
the leg well forward under the body, and tie into a half-hitch knot.
This will bring the weight and pulling of the leg directly across the
back and neck in a way that disables greatly.

Next touch or lightly slap the leg until it is submitted to freely,

PALLIATIVE TREATMENT.

Fig. 259. — Simplest Welhod of Making a
Nervous Horse Stand to be Shod.

when more freedom should be given by giving loose a little. When
freely given to the hand, untie, carry the leg back and forward to
test it, when take in both hands and pound upon it. as before ex-
plained. After the foot is sub-
mitted unconditionally, keep on
handling for some time, giving
apples, etc. The opposite foot
must, practically, be treated in
the same manner, and according
to the degree of resistance.

The blacksmith's shop is no
place in which to handle colts.

The fire and hammering add to

the general excitem.ent, and
greatly increase the difficulty of
making the horse submit the feet.
In addition, it is not the black-
smith's duty to expose himself
to be injured or hurt, or to lose'

time in trying to shoe a wild, unbroken colt. Such colts should
always be handled at home until proved gentle, which, by following
out the instructions given, will not be found a difficult task. I have
often found horses that, in consequence of fear or abuse in a black-
smith's shop, could not be shod
there. I will refer here to but
one of many cases in point.

During my early experience,
while at a town in Southern Penn-
sylvania, a horse was brought
forward for treatment that could
not be shod, his particular cause
of resistance being fear of the
blacksmith's leather apron. When
first taken to the shop for the
purpose of being shod, the ham-
mering and flying sparks greatly
•excited him, and as the smith
came forward to take up his foot,
the appearance of his leather
apron became an object of intense fear. In a short time the colt
became so violent that he would not allow any one with an apron to
go near him.

Fig. 260.

-Blindfolding a Nervous Horse
to be Shod.

8

BAD TO SHOE.

The owner and smith concluded they had a sure thing in this
case with which to beat me, and came twelve miles for the purpose,
leading the horse. They said they would both join the class pro-
vided I would make the horse sufficiently gentle to allow a man
with a leather apron on to go near enough to handle him. At the
same time they told their friends secretly that I could do nothing
with the horse, and that they came there for the express purpose of
showing me up as a humbug.' All felt so sure that the horse would
beat me that a large number joined the class to see the fun, expect-
ing of course they would get their money back. I subjected the

horse quickly to
the Second
Method and War
Bridle, not re-
quiring in all
more than six or
eight minutes,
when he could be
handled without
the least difficul-
ty, bein g pe r-
fectly regardless
of the apron. I
ordered the horse
taken to the
shop, and accus-
tomed to the
sparks and ham-
mering ; to be treated kindly, giving apples, etc. • also to be shod a
few times outside the shop, to make sure of his docility.

To show the simplicity of what may appear difficult, it is worthy
of mention that at the same place, a party of three men — a father
and two sons — were employed over three hours in trying to lead a
six-year-old colt, pulling, pushing, and backing him by main force,
to the place of exhibition, a distance of not over one fourth of a
mile. The conditions were that I must make him follow me freely
across the b^n floor. A few sharp pulls with the War Bridle were
sufficient to make the horse run after me, not requiring in all more
than two minutes, proving so conclusively the ignorance and bad
management of the parties that they were laughed at and ridiculed
by the entire class. (See Fig. 155.)

Fio. 261.— As the Cord may be Adjusted for Control of Simple Cases.

FA LLIA TI VF TEE A TMENT.

9

Confirmed in the Habit.

As the main object in the management of most cases is to make
them submit to be shod with the least trouble, I will first give the
simplest treatment for doing so. Indeed, this simple treatment, with
a little care, will often be sufficient for the control of even very bad

cases.

If the horse is very sensitive
and excitable, but naturally gen-
tle if given his own way, a great
deal, of course, depends upon the
good management of the shoer,
but as much on the aid of the
owner. Try the following course :
When the smith is in position,
and ready, his left hand resting
on the horse's hip, let the owner,
or some good, quiet man, catch
the horse's ear with one hand,
squeezing or twisting it a little ;
with the other stroke the nose,
or grasp the muzzle, and hold
firmly but gently, at the same
time talking to the horse kindly.

If there is resistance to this, try blindfolding. Tie a blanket, or some-
thing convenient, over the eyes, at the same time rubbing the nose,

etc. With care on the part of

the shoer, cases that have proved

very difficult to shoe will submit

at once to be shod as desired. If

these expedients fail, put on the

cord, the First, or Double-Draw

Hitch Form, and make the horse

feel its power by giving a few

sharp pulls right and left. Then

step back to the hips, pull the

head around a little, keeping the

cord taut, and take up the foot,

punishing instantly for any re-
sistance. Or, stand to the head,

and keep the cord drawn rather

tight to hold the attention of the horse while an assistant takes up

Fig. 262.— Simple Method of Using the Cord

for the Control of Horses Bad to

Shoe, Harness, etc.

Fig. 263.— Method of Putting on the Cord
when the Horse Proves Very Stubborn.

10

BAD TO SHOE,

the foot. If the horse is very stubborn, bring the second turn of the
cord over the upper jaw, under the lip. This part being very sen-
sitive, a slight pressure hurts so severely as to disconcert the horse

sufficiently to make him submit.
Or the cord, Second Form, can
be put on, with the loop brought
over the upper jaw, and pulled
sufficiently taut to force submis-
sion. In either case, gradually
let up as the horse submits. In
no case should the cord be held
ti^ht more than half a minute at

o

a time.

The four-ring bit properly used
will sometimes work extremely
well in making a horse submit to
be shod. The bit is put into the
mouth with an ordinary head-
piece, and the strap closely ad-

FiG. 264.— Showing the Manner of Letting
up on the Cord as the Horse Submits.

justed across the nose. Now tie the end of the cord to the near
ring, pass it around and tie to the opposite one back of the jaw ;
then pass over the neck, well back and down behind the jaw, as
for second form of War Bridle.
Now, by pulling down upon the
cord, the joint of the bit will be
forced up against the roof of the
mouth, which hurts so severely
that the horse is at once discon-
certed, or disabled sufficiently to
permit the foot to be taken up.
The amount of pressure or force
of the pulling must be regulated
according to the resistance. If
there is submission in a short
time, the lightest pressure will be
sufficient to make the horse stand
quietly to be shod. There is this
to be said about this method of
treatment, as well as that of the War Bridle : If it works at all, it
seems to work so well as to leave nothing to be desired. But if it
fails, the failure will be equally marked. It is, however, but just to
add that though in many cases failing, the power of the War Bridle

Fig. 265.— Four-ring Bit. Method of
Pulling down on the Cord.

PALLIATIVE TREATMENT.

11

or four-ring bit, when properly used, is sometimes wonderful, the
horse at once submitting unconditionally.

Tying the head to the tail so as to keep the head bent around
pretty well, will sometimes make a horse submit to be shod, but not
often. This means, with that of putting the cord under the upper
lip, which I copy below, has been of late so extensively published
as an infallible means of making the most vicious horses stand to be
shod, ridden, etc., that I think it necessary to give some explanation
of them here : —

"Mastering Vicious Horses.

" Recently an exhibition was given at the corner of Ninth and Howard streets of
a new and very simple method of taming vicious horses, which is claimed to be su-
perior to any in use. The first trial was with a kicking and bucking mare, which,
her owner says, has allowed no rider on her back for five years. She became tame
and gentle in as many minutes, and allowed herself to be ridden about without a
sign of her former wildness. The means by which this result was accomplished con-
sisted of a piece of light rope, which was passed around the front jaw of the mare,
just above the upper teeth, crossed in her mouth, and then secured back of her
neck. It is claimed that no horse will kick or jump when thus secured, and that a
bucking horse, after receiving this treatment a few times, will abandon his vicious
ways forever. A very simple method was also shown by which a kicking horse can
be shod. It consisted in connecting the animal's head and tail by means of a rope
fastened to the tail and then to the bit, and drawn tightly enough to incline the
horse's head to one side. It is claimed that it is absolutely impossible for a horse to
kick on the side of the rope. At the same exhibition a horse which for many years
had to be bound on the ground to be shod, suffered the blacksmith to bperate on him
without attempting to kick while secured in the manner described."

This is from the same piece as the Maine man's method of
breaking a balking horse, referred to in " Balk-
ing." As I brought both these methods of
treatment into use, and have had almost un-
limited experience with them, I think I am
able to determine their value with more ac-

FiG. 266. — The Cord as Used with the Four-ring Bit.

curacy than it is possible for inexperienced persons to do. While
they will secure the control of many, even quite bad cases, as ex-

12

BAD TO SHOE.

plained, they cannot by any means be depended upon for the con-
trol of really difficult cases. They were used by me almost daily
under circumstances like the following : —

After subjecting a horse to the Second Method, while still tied,
the effort would frequently be made to take up the foot ; but it was
rarely, unless thoroughly subdued, that the foot would be submit-
ted. The same is true of the cord, or War Bridle. It was often
a matter of considerable importance to be able to control some cases
quickly, and I would, as an experiment, try the most simple and di-

Fig. 267. — Pulling the Foot back to Test the Horse's Submission.

rect methods of management. I have experimented in this way
thousands of times before and after regular subjective treatment with
the War Bridle, and cannot regard it as more than palliative, since it
would, in a great many cases, prove entirely inefficient. Even with
the Double-Draw Hitch, its most powerful and effective form, which
until recently we kept a secret, and used only as a reserve, we could
not depend upon it. Twenty-five years ago the War Bridle was my
principal resource for controlling colts and bucking horses to ride.
But it is entirely inferior to the Second Method for the control of
bad cases. Simply tying the head to the tail, and sending the horse
around until dizzy, then mounting from the outside, so as not to get
entangled by the strap, the horse will be found so helpless that he
cannot buck ; should he attempt it, he would simply be carried
around the more rapidly until submissive.

The matter of breaking bucking colts and horses was a common,
and, sometimes, a very formidable difficulty to meet. One of the

SUBJECT I VE THE A TMENT.

13

worst cases I ever came across was a ten-year-old mule in Central
Mississippi. It was proved absolutely impossible, even by the re-
straint of any kind of rigging, to mount or keep upon this brute's
back. In fact, the case was so bad, and the people felt so sure that
I could not ride her, that they made up a large class for me, knowing
they would get their money back if I failed to do so. I simply sub-
jected her to the Second Method sharply, and in less than fifteen
minutes rode her as I pleased. This would have been impossible by
the palliative means referred to. She was a good representative of
the mustang nature. This is the only method of treatment by which

Fig. 268. — As the Foot will be Rested upon the Ground after Submitting.

a strong, determined bucker can be safely and easily mastered.

It was frequently the case that we would have for our main sub-
ject a horse that was particularly bad in shoeing. As a test of suc-
cess, it would be often required that the horse be shod in a black-
smith's shop. Now after being subjected to regular treatment, there
would usually be but little trouble in taking up and hammering upon
the feet as much as desired at the place of treatment ; while we
would sometimes have all we could do, even by the most severe use
of the War Bridle, to handle such in the shop.

Treatment for Very Vicious Cases.

Very much depends upon the disposition of the horse and the
treatment pursued. In most cases the following will be found easy
and effectual : Subject to the Third Method, using more or less
pressure, according to the case. While the cord is on, attach a

14 BAD TO SHOE.

strap or rein to the hind foot, and pull back as previously explained.
At first there will usually be great resistance, the horse kicking with
great spitefulness, or pulling the foot forward energetically. But
-however much he may resist at first, it must not be accepted as a
cause for discouragement. Simply keep pulling the foot back at
short intervals until there is no resistance. When given freedom, it
will be rested upon the toe, then pull forward and back as before ex-
plained. In some cases it maybe necessary to tie forward by bring-
ing the strap over the neck, back between the legs, and making fast
to hold the foot firmly until all resistance is overcome. Treat the
opposite foot in the same manner.

This was the treatment pursued by us with the most success in
the management of the worst cases. A good deal of course will de-
pend upon the use of tact and good management, as before ex-
plained. A coarse-grained, passionate man can very soon undo a
great deal of good work. In the management of these critical cases
a great point is made by having a good, quiet man to stand at the
head and stroke the nose, and it is needless to state that the smith
should be a man of considerable patience ; but when the case is se-
rious it should never be shod in the shop. All this should be done
where free from the excitement and annoyance of such a place. This
is a point I would particularly impress upon the reader — to attend
to accomplishing your end well at home, then take such precaution
as you can without exciting or annoying the horse much when it
becomes necessary to shoe him at the shop.

To give an idea of the power of this treatment when properly
applied, I will refer to its effects upon a few special cases.

At Bellows Falls, Vt., a paper-maker owned a fine horse, which,
though otherwise very gentle, was extremely hard to shoe. A trav-
eling horseman of much experience and a great deal of pretension,
visited the place and made a small class. The owner, wishing to
have his horse broken, brought him in to be experimented upon.
According to the gentleman's statement to me, this man worked
with the horse about half a day, injuring him very severely, — in the
owner's language, "almost killed him." The result of it all was
that the horse beat the man completely, and was more reckless and
determined in his opposition than before. I requested the gentle-
man to let me see the horse. Finding him to be naturally of a good
disposition, and that his resistance proceeded mainly from excite-
ment, I told the owner we would have no difficulty at all with the
horse, and succeeded in making him perfectly gentle in about fifteen
minutes.

SUBJECTIVE TREATMENT. 15

The day following, at the next point we found an eight-year-old
mare, considered impossible to shoe. The temperament being suit-
able, we subjected her to Second Method and War Bridle, which
made her entirely submissive in about ten minutes. The next day,
at Putney, Vt., the kicking, runaway horse was presented. Refer-
ence is made to these consecutive cases to show the frequency with
which exceptionally vicious horses were brought for experiment and
the success in their treatment.

In the management of many cases, either or both the First and
Second Methods may be used with advantage in connection with the
Third Method, but it should always be done at home, where there is
time and privacy to apply and carry out the treatment properly.

Leaning Over.

There are occasionally horses that will allow the foot to be
taken up, but will lie down or lean over upon the blacksmith while
it is held. Usually a few pulls with the War Bridle, repeating them
for each occurrence of lying over, until he learns to stand without
leaning, will be sufficient. If this is resisted, subject to Second
Method. While the head is tied around, take up the foot and test
until he will stand squarely. If there is any inclination to lean over
after the head is given freedom, disconcerting a little with the cord
should be sufficient. Sometimes it is advisable to stand at the head
ready to punish, while an assistant takes up and holds the foot as if
to shoe. Though a horse may for some time be sullen and persist-
ent in leaning over, it is not usually a difficult habit to overcome.
Once compelled to stand, it is seldom necessary to repeat the lesson.

It should have been stated in the proper place that there must
be no effort to push against the quarters ; but the moment there
is an effort to lean over, the foot should be instantly dropped, and
the punishment with the War Bridle made somewhat severe, and
this repeated until there is submission.

Fig. 429.— The Fool and Limb
with Hoof Sliin Removed.

SHOEING.
Preliminary Explanations.

DURING my early experience I was in-
duced, by the advice of friends, to
give what instruction I could on shoe-
ing. With this object, I had prepared models
of the hoof, and the best forms of shoes, and
was frequently led to give short lectures on
the subject. It was not, however, until I
visited New York City, in 1872, and had
several conversations with Mr. Robert Bon-
ner on shoeing, that I was able to obtain
anything like a correct idea of the principles
of doing this. I found that what was pub-
lished in books accessible on the subject, was
but the merest rubbish, calculated in many
respects to seriously mislead and do harm.
Mr. Bonner had just purchased the mare
Princess, the famous old competitor of Flora
Temple. Her feet were badly contracted,
and the tendons of the legs greatly thick-
ened, causing her to move almost as sore
and stiff as a foundered horse. He assured
me that before I left the city the feet would
look entirely natural, and that she would
travel with as much freedom and ease as a
colt. From my knowledge of the subject,
it seemed utterly impossible to cure such a
case ; and yet, to my astonishment, in less
than three months afterward she was per-
fectly well. I was startled, first, to find that
I knew nothing of the subject ; second, that
there was so little known about it practical-
ly ; and third, that a gentleman for his own
amusement proved to mQ that he had a far

(16)

SHOEING.

17

deeper and more correct knowledge of it than doubtless any man

of his time.*

At any rate, I was now led to
study the subject in an entire-
ly different light, and though
far from being able to give the
instruction on this subject I
would like to do, for want of
the requisite knowledge, I
have done the best I could
to make the instructions so
simple and practical that they
will at least serve to correct
some of the wretchedly bad
treatment practiced by sho-
ers. I have tried also to in-
clude such illustrations of the

Fig. 430. — Lateral View of Horse's Fool afler
Removal of the Hoof.

structure of the foot as would show its
various parts most clearly, with other
features of most interest to shoers.

The bones of the foot are so nicely
adjusted and balanced by the ligaments
and tendons of the limb, that there is
no unequal strain brought upon any
joint, but each assists in supporting the
others. But if the heels are raised too
high, or the toe left too long, there will
be correspondingly increased strain
brought upon the ligaments and ten-
dons supporting the back or front part.
In like manner, raising or lowering the

Fig. 431. — Inferior View of Foot
with Hoof Removed.

* Indeed, this is conceded now by even the leading members of the veterinary-
prof ession, as will be seen by the following statement by Dr. Going, formerly vet-
erinary editor of the Spirit of the Times, which I copy from his Veterinary Diction-
ary. He says : —

" It is said that no man has ever yet reached perfection in any branch of art,
science, literature, industry, etc.; but while I am unprepared to join issue with the
assertion^ I can safely say that the nearest approach which has ever been made in
this connection (horse-shoeing and the study of the horse's foot) has been made by
Robert Bonner, Esq., of New York, who, had not the Ledger already made him fa-
mous, would undoubtedly have obtained widespread renown through his almost su-
perhuman knowledge in this department. I have had the pleasure of conversing
with him on this subject, and am pleased to have an opportunity of stating the im-
pression the conversation made ujion me."

18

SHOmNG.

inner or outer quarter would
produce a lateral strain upon
the joints and ligaments,
which must ultimately cause
the foot to grow out of line,
and induce serious injury.
Consequently, the point to
be attended to in removing
excessive growth of the wall
in preparing it for the shoe,
is to preserve or restore the
natural angle and direction
of the hoof. This is one of

Fig. 432. — Coffin Bone Showing Inlemal Lateral
Cartilage, Internal and Posterior View.

A, coffin bone; B, internal aspect of the lateral
cartilage.

Fig. 433.— Lateral View of the
Pastern Bones and Ligaments.

the important points, in doing which suc-
cessfully the genius of true skill and suc-
cess must be shown. A large number of
illustrations are given showing good forms
and positions of the feet and legs, with
faulty forms. Also the various lines of
movement of the feet when in motion.
These are to be studied in paring the feet
to change or modify the action as may be
desired.

First, in preparing the foot for the shoe,
the aim should be to cut away so much
of the wall as would be a surplus of growth,
or so much only as would bring it back
to its natural form and adjustment. As
a rule, the wall should be lowered to the
level of the unpared sole. The sole and
frog should on no account be pared or
touched by the knife, nor should the
heels be "opened." The horny sole and
frog, unlike the wall, do not grow in-
definitely ; but when they have attained a
certain thickness, they throw off the su-
perfluous or old horn in flakes or scales.
This natural thickness of the sole and
frog-horn is an essential condition for the

a, Lateral ligament of the fetlock; i, Anterior lateral ligament of the coffin joint; c, Sus-
pensory ligament ; f, Lateral sesamoidal ligament.

SEOUIiYG.

19

Fig. 434

A, ospedis or coflBn bone; B, trans-
verse section of lateral cartilage.

Second, the shoe should be
in form, so that when on, the
adjustment of the foot, or its
power to obtain hold or grasp
upon the ground, will be
what it was before being
shod, and yet sustain the
wear for the time it is in-
tended to be on.

Third, it should be nailed
on firmly, yet so as to break
or weaken the wall of the
hoof as little as possible, and
not interfere with the free-
dom of the quarters or en-
largement of the foot as it
grows.

In its natural condition the
outer rim or wall of the foot
comes in contact with the
ground first ; second, the frog
and outer edge of the sole ;
third, the -center of the foot

maintenance of the foot in health and
its protection from injury. In any
event, about all that is necessary to
do is to remove those loosened and
detached flakes, which, were it not
for the shoe, would have exfoliated
themselves. Cutting away more than
this becomes a serious cause of in-
jury. The angles between the bars
and crust should be moderately pared
out, as accumulations here, with con-
tinued pressure of the shoe, are apt
to induce corns. The frog does not
require paring more than the removal
of ragged parts, and even these better
not be touched.

Fig. 435. — Anterior and External View of Right
Front Foot.

a, Exterior pedis ligament; b, Suspensory liga-
ment.

20

SHOETNG.

and spaces between the bars and frog. To show this more clearly,
three sectional drawings are made from half-size casts, showing the
concavity of the foot at different points between the heel and turn
of the hoof, and the necessarily great disturbance of this relation by

the form of shoe

usually put on.

Fig. A shows the

foot at the point

of the heels as

it rests upon the

ordinary thick

shoe, with calks

raising the frog

and sole so un-
naturally high

from the ground

that there can

be no contact of

those parts with

it necessary for

obtaining mois-

ture and preserv-
ing a condition
of health. In ad-
dition it will be
noticed that in
the way shoes
are usually fitted,
the bearing sur-
face is very much
concaved, tend-
ing to crowd the

Fig. 436.— Right Front Foot, quarters togeth- Fm. 437.— Inferior, Lateral, and Pes
Posterior and Sligiitly ^j. p|^ g shows *erior View of the Right Front Fool,.

the same, with Showing Ligaments of Tendons.

Lateral View.

same,

a, c, Perforans tendon ; f, r i fittinP" », Sensitive frog; h, Perforans

Suspensory ligament. '-' & tendon; f, Suspensory ligament.

of shoes as they
should be ; Figs. C and D show the same at relative distances be-
tween there and the turn of the foot ; D, at the widest part, repre-
senting a heavy shoe. (See page 347, Figs. 472-475.)

If a colt's foot grows too long or out of line, it should be leveled
down so as to make the adjustment natural, the outer edg.e

SHOEING.

21

Fig. 438.— Horizontal Section of
the Horny Frog.

a, Horn tubes : b, Cells between
tubes.

rounded a little, and the colt driven barefoot. It is noticeable that ex-
cessive wear is always at the toe, and
that the heels rarely suffer, even on
bad roads, and this being true, tips or
thin steel plates only should be used,
and that thick and high heeled shoes
^^ are not only certainly unnecessary
but seriously injurious — that, in fact,
in all cases the best shoeing for the
feet, for all roads and seasons, when
in a good condition of health, must
be such as will
permit them
to be as nearly
barefoot as possible, or, at least, that the
posterior part is so, yet sustaining the attri-
tion of wear to which they may be subjected,
prevent slipping, and best preserve the
natural adjustment of the feet.

Tips or Thin Shoes.

If tips or thin steel plates are to be used,
simply trim off the wall in front down to a
level with the sole, and adjust to, and nail on,
with four small nails, a small thin strip of
steel or iron a little broader than the thick-
ness of the wall. Steel would be best, be-
cause it admits of being made lighter, and
wears longer. The heels and frog should
not be interfered with unless one heel is
much higher than the other, when it should
be lowered sufficiently to restore the proper
adjustment. The objection to tips is that,
as the toe is growing, the heels are wearing,
which in time would be likely to increase
the strain upon the flexor tendon and its
appendages. This disproportion of wear
would be more rapid and noticeable should
the roads be wet and gravelly, as moisture Fig. 439.— Horizontal Section
and grit soften the horn and cause it to °* "°''"y "'^" ^"'^''a^'''

break and wear away more rapidly, but not a, Wall with homy tubes;
1 1 1 lb, Horn tubes; c, Horn 1am-

so much as may be supposed on paved j^^g '

streets and mud roads. The writer saw

22

SHOEING.

Fig. 440.— Colt's Foot Three Years Old.

several horses in New York City that had been shod with tips with

decided benefit to the health of the feet, and without any apparent

disproportion or wearing down
of the frog and quarters, though
the iron was worn down fully
a quarter of an inch. The parts
became, as it were, hardened
and polished, thereby resisting
the wear almost as much as the
iron.

As there has been much dis-
cussion among writers in rela-
tion to the use of tips, or thin-
heeled shoes, I requested Dr.
Hamill and Dr. McLellan, the
two best veterinary authorities
on this subject in this country,
to give me a statement of the
cases for which, in their judg-
ment, tips would or would not
be adapted. I give herewith the

reply of each, and invite the attention of the reader to the points

made, and the reasons given

""herefor. Prof Hamill says : —

* * While I am a firm advocate
of frog and sole pressure, and have driven
my own horses for years over the pave-
ments of Nev? York City with nothing
on the feet but what is known as the
English tip or toe-piece shoe, which gives
the foot the entire freedom of all its nat-
ural movements, yet I must say it would
be absurd to attempt to shoe every horse
in this way. There are any number of
cases where this system would be in-
jurious to the foot, and even to the limb.
But as the foot, or rather that part of it
inclosed within the hoof, is the object
oftenest under consideration, I shall ex-
plain briefly how it may suffer from
extreme frog-pressure. (One point which
we should always keep in view is a due
proportion, or equal distribution of the
weight in ali parts of the hoof, and by no
other system can the foot be healthy.)

Fig. 441.— Colt's Foot Four Years Old.
From a Cast.

SHOEING.

23

Fig. 442.— Half Hoof Removed.

Any foot that is thin in its general structure, but more so in its vertical position,
or from top to bottom, and with the frog full at its pyramidal eminence or body, is
not a proper foot for frog-pressure. In such feet the plantar cushion, or what is

known as the fibrous or fatty frog,
is very thin, is easily made weaker
by absorption through extreme pres-
sure or irritation on the horny frog,
and therefore offers very little pro-
tection to the great flexor tendon
where it passes under the navicular
lione.

But I may be asked. How could
his in any way cause injury, if the
lavicular joint be perfect, as the
tendon requires only a slight cushion
underneath? My answer is, that
there is a double impingement of the
tendon, owing to the navicular bone
descending on the tendon every time
weight is thrown on the limb, the
proof of which is the pain caused
by this action on the internal struct-
ures of the hoof. I ask. Where is
the shoeing-smith who has not seen the agony of a horse while standing on one bare
foot on the level floor while the other foot is being shod, and the relief which fol-
lowed when the shod foot was placed on the floor ? I may be told that such feet
have been previously weakened by bad
shoeing and bad care, and that a horse
which never had been shod would not
suffer in this way. Those who make such
assertions are entirely ignorant of the
anatomy and physiology of the foot.

My answer is, that when a horse first
comes to the world he has no frog develop-
ment, and for the first year of his life,
while walking on a level, can have no frog-
pressure. It is only animals that are raised
on low or marshy land that have a great
development of frog. Horses belonging
to mountainous countries have very little
frog, and generally narrow or apparently
contracted feet, which is no evidence of
disease. "Witness the ass and the mule for
example ; and I may add that although
wide heels are generally desirable, they
are no evidence in themselves of perfect
health. I am well aware that most thin
heels, and generally thin feet, have a large

frog, but the depth of such a frog is more apparent than real, as it will be found on
close investigation that the flexor tendon and navicular structure are lower or nearer
the ground-surface in such a foot. Therefore we must discriminate in all cases, as

Fig. 443. — Inferior View of the Above.

24

SHOEING.

Fig. 444. — Showing the Coronary Band.

one mistake may cause irreparable injury. To be definite, we can safely give extra
frog and heel pressure in all cases where the hoof is deep at the quarters, where there
is a tendency toward contraction and atrophy of the frog, where the obliquity of the
pastern is not too
great, and where the
feet and limbs are per-
fectly sound and well
proportioned. (This lat-
ter will narrow the
circle more than most
people are aware of.)
No thoughtful man
would dare to throw
extra weight on the
sole and frog of a foot
that had long suffered
with navicular disease,
however excellent this
would be as a pre-
ventive. Neither

should we throw extra weight on the posterior parts of a foot or limb where there
is any soreness of flexor muscles or tendons, or any ligament involved, as it would
entail greater tension on the parts, while the opposite is what is required, viz., flex-
ion or relaxation.

I say distinctly, we should only carry frog-pressure to the extent of bringing into
activity all the elastic structures of the foot, which increases the circulation of those

parts so liable to atrophy, and
only tlirough the circulation can we
keep up or restore the health,
vigor, and growth of frog, sole,
heels, and quarters of the horse's
foot.

Prof. McLellan says :—

In reference to the use of tips,
I give you only an outline. They
are useful in the case of corns,
in quarter-cracks, in thrush, in
interfering, and in fitting the
horse to run at grass. They are
not applicable to feet that have
thin, flat soles, with low heels.
They are not applicable to heavy
work horses with flat feet and
prominent frogs (such frogs are
liable to suffer bruises when so
exposed, the resulting inflam-
mation extending frequently to deeper and more vital structures). They are not ap-
plicable to feet having navicular disease. They are not applicable when, in apply-
ing them, it is necessary to disturb the normal relation of the bones of the limb.
22 a

Fia. 445. — Showing Inside of Hoof.

SHOEING.

25

They will be found particularly useful in strong feet that have corns in both heels,
and in the case of bad interferers.

Trimming.

Before preparing the foot for the shoe, the smith should go in
front and look at it, so as to determine better its adjustment.
Sometimes the foot may be run over by having one side too high or
the toe worn off excessively. If it is desired to be particular, he

should see how the feet are
carried in a sharp trot ;
whether too high or too
low ; or whether h? travels
too close, endangering inter-
fering or cutting — using
the words of a high au-
thority, " to see whether
there are any traces of bruis-
ing or cutting on the inner
sides of hoofs, fetlocks, or
knees." He should also see
how the old shoe has been
worn. The foot can then
be taken up, when a look
from the heel forward will
enable an observing shoer
to determine how much and
what part is to be cut away to level it to the proper proportion, and
the faults, if any, that can be modified or corrected. If the horse
travels high, the shoes must be light ; if low and subject to stumb-
ling, they may be increased in weight a little, and the toe some-
what rounded ; if liable to strike, then set close under the wall with
edges filed smooth.

The point is to cut away or remove the surplus growth in the
easiest and best manner, which depends more upon the deftness and
ingenuity of the man than upon the use of any special means. The
wall should be reduced to nearly or quite on a level with the outer
margin of the sole. The bearing surface of the entire wall should be
made level, so that an even bearing surface of the shoe will rest
upon it fully. The rasp should now be passed around the toe, to cut
away the sharp edges and bring it to the size required. Practically,
this should be little more than rounding off the sharp edges of horn
to prevent splitting.

Fig. 44G.— The Foot Natural.

26

SHOi:nyG.

Fig. 447. — Fool Excessively
Pared.

The principle is the same of leveling and preparing the feet of
horses that have previously been shod. In such cases, to take off

the shoe the best method is, after the clinch-
ers are cut off, to raise both heels slightly
with the pincers, then pry forward and across
the foot a little, when the nails can be pulled
out one by one. It is seriously objection-
able, as generally done, to pull off the shoe
by force, as the severe wrenching endangers
tearing the hoof and straining and injuring
the foot. This would be especially objec-
tionable if the hoof be thin and the horse
sensitive. Next, any stubs or nails should be
removed.

While it is simply intended to pare down
the wall to its natural form, if it is thin and
weak, growing but little, especially at the
heels, where there is great difficulty to grow sufficient wall for the
support of the foot, no more should be removed than is barely ne-
cessary to level it. As before stated, there should be no interference
with sole or frog, excepting to
chip or cut away the portion of
the old horn which could not be
exfoliated. Frequently the heels
are too high, or the toe too long ;
in either case, whatever the ex-
cessive accumulation or growth
of horn, it should be cut away
until the foot is brought back
to its natural form and adjust-
ment. Sometimes there is ex-
cessive accumulation to the
amount of half an inch or more
at the heels, or even of the whole
wall of strong, upright feet, yet
to the ordinary observing shoe-
ing-smith it may not appear ex-
cessive, because cutting away
so much would make the foot
appear to him to be unnaturally small. Several specimens of ab-
normal growth of feet are given. Fig. 495, page 355, taken from
life, is a good representative case, and was seen by the writer at

Fig. 448.— Foot after Four Years' Shoeing.

SHOEING.

27

Fulton Ferry, New York City. It is that of a pony mare driven
before a huckster's wagon. The right foot was so contracted by this
excessive accumulation of horn, that its mobility was entirely de-
stroyed. It will be noticed that the toe of the shoe is carried
forward something like a sled crook, to enable a rolling motion
upon the ground. It was pitiable to witness the pain
and misery this poor animal exhibited. She walked
with a crippled, sensitive motion, and while standing
would put out one foot, then the other,
but mostly the right one. The case
could have been easily relieved of pain

Fig. 449.

Fig. 450.— Too Short Fig. 451.— Too Oblique,
and Upright.

Fig. 452,— Natural
Obliquity of Ankle.

and soreness, by simply cutting down the feet and thoroughly soaking
and opening the quarters, as explained in treatmentfor " Contraction."
The dotted lines represent the point to which the horn should be
cut away, showing an excess of accumulation of over three inches.

The Shoe.

The shoe should, in form and
size, little more than cover the
wall, excepting at the heels
where it should be so much wider
and longer as to compensate for
the growth of the foot, and be
heavy enough to sustain the at-
trition, or wear, for the time it is
Fig. 454.— Too High expected to be on. But should
on One Si e, ^j^j^ require an excessive thick-

ness, then the bar may be made
wider, to permit more wearing surface. It should fit closely all the
way around to the bearing surface prepared for its reception, so
that it may give to the crust all the support it can receive, and

Fig. 453.— Heels too High.

28

SHOEING.

carry out in its ground surface, as nearly as possible, the form of the

wall before it was cut away. It is a rule, recognized by the best

authorities, that the sole should not

rest upon the shoe, except around

the toe where the outer edge is

left full and natural. But if the

wall is cut down close, and the sole

rather thin (which, as explained

before, in no case should be done

except for pathological reasons), it

is advisable, if it comes too near

the iron, to lower the part coming

under it. As a rule, the bearing

surface should be level, and the

ground surface concave, or the in-
ner edge of the ground surface so

beveled off that it will not harbor

stones and dirt, and be so stiff that

it will not bend.

As before stated, if the horse is

expected to be driven only oc-
casionally, and upon common dirt

roads, the wear will be but little, and the shoes should be corre-
spondingly light ; but if much
travel is required, on stony or
macadamized roads, the weight
should be sufficient to sustain
such wear. The addition of a
small bit of steel, hammered
well into the toe, and tempered,
would add greatly to its dur-
ability. It would be much
better to make them wholly of
steel, as they would be very
much lighter, equally stiff, and
less liable to bend.

In a condition of health,
from a light family driver to
the heavy draught horse, the

„ , _ . . principle of shoeing is the

Fig. 456.— Fool too Long. ^ ^, . , . ,*^

same ; the size, thickness, and

weight only differing so as to adapt to each case, with the difference

Fig. 455.— Too Short.

SHOEING.

29

that when exceptional power is necessary, as for draught horses^
or to prevent slipping, calkins must be used. As a rule, nothing

more is wanting, unless necessary
for extra wear, than just iron
enough to protect the outer crust
of the foot, and prevent its break-
ing. More iron than this becomes
extra weight, and causes fatigue in
carrying, like thick, heavy-soled
shoes or clogs.

It is a question among English
authorities whether a shoe should
be " rounded at the toe " (a prac-
tice known as the French system)
to aid mobility.

A moderate rounding at the
toe would seem desirable in all
cases where there is want of mo-
bility. It is especially desirable
when the horse is a little stiff or
sore, as it enables him to travel
much easier. This is proved when
the mobility of the foot is destroyed, and there is necessity for
using a rounded shoe to conform with the action. Illustrations of a
large variety of shoes of different forms are given, which can be
studied.

Prof. Will-
iams, of Edin-
borough Veter-
inary College,
advises that the
calkins and
toe-pieces
should be done
away with for
a 1 1 kinds o f
horses except
those used for

heavy draught in towns where the streets are paved and steep.
It is urged that all horses required to go beyond a walking pace are
injured by shoes with turned-up heels and toes. Farm horses and

Fig. 457. — Shoe Properly Adjusted.

Fig. 458.— Thin Shoe for
Light Wori<.

Fig. 459.— Faulty, Bad Form
of Shoe.

30

SHOEmG.

Fig. 460.— Toes too Wide.

chose employed on macadamized roads are better without than with
toe-pieces, although the pace at which they are required to go is
never faster than a walk. In fact, all horses, when possible, should
be shod with a flat shoe.

Nailing.

The object of nailing should be to hold the shoe firmly to the
foot without injuring the wall, and
leave the foot as independent of the
restraint of the shoe at the quarters
as possible. The nails should be
driven where there will be most secure
nail-hold ; more or less as well as
heavier nails being necessary, in pro-
portion to the thickness of the wall,
weight of the shoe, and severity of the
work. The wall is thickest and
strongest at the toe or front, and be-
comes thinner and more flexible to-
ward the quarters and heels, especially
at the inner heels, where it is sometimes extremely thin and flexible.
There has been much speculation during the past few years in
relation to the cause of this quarter's giving out before the other,
as nature evidently intended it to stand strain and wear equally with
other parts. The cause, undoubtedly, is the interference in its mo-
bility by bad-fitting shoes and nail-
ing so far back as to interfere with
the flexibility of the quarter. This
being true, it is evident that the
principal nailing should be at the
toe and front, because there is more
horn there to nail to, and less liabil-
ity to do harm by separating and
breaking the fibers of the wall.
They should not extend any farther
back into the quarters than is barely
necessary to give a safe hold of the
shoe to the foot. The fewer and
smaller the nails driven, the better, providing they are sufficient to
hold the shoe. But much will depend, in doing this, on the ac-
curacy of the fitting, thickness of the wall, and weight of the shoe.

If the nails are driven well back on the outer quarter, and only
round in the toe of the inner side, for the purpose of affording more

Fig. 461. — Extreme Toeing In.

SHOEING.

31

freedom to the quarters, it will be found that as the foot grows, the
shoe will be carried to the outside quarter and toe to such an extent
that the inner heel of the shoe will be drawn inside of the wall at the

©

m

ti

*FiG. 462. — Perfect Action.

m

heel, and rest upon the sole, causing a bruise or corn.
In addition, so much of the shoe being left unnailed, makes
it liable to get loose and work under the quarter, which
would cause a rapid wearing or breaking down of struct-
ure. All things considered, the best way is to nail back
to the turn of -the wall securely. Or the nailing may be
extended a little farther back on the outside, and short-
ened a little on the inner side, in any case giving both
quarters all the freedom compatible with security, in re-
taining a firm hold of the shoe. As the foot grows, the
shoe will be brought forward so evenly under it as not to do harm.

For ordinary light shoes, six to seven nails, evenly distributed
around the front part, should be sufficient, sometimes extending the
outer nail a little beyond or nearer the quarter than the inner one.

But if the
shoes are
heavy, and

*FiG. 463.

Perfect Ac
tion.

w o r

-C-

-c- --

Fig. 464.— Short Upright Fetlock.

------ ^ heavier

nails, and
from seven

to eight in number, will in most cases be required. A small, thin
clip turned up at the toe, and one at the outer quarter, will help
greatly in holding the shoe firmly in position ; but they should be
turned up thin, and set well out on the edge of the shoe.

■ In connection with figures 462, 463, see page 328.

32 SHOEING.

But very little of the wall should be cut away, so as not to

weaken or injure it ; but sufficient to enable bringing the shoe to its

position. The shoes should not be hammered down tight

to the wall, but simply sufficient to rest easily against it.

Next, if the foot is broken, or much weakened by old

nail-holes, punch the holes where there is soundest horn

to nail to, as shown by Fig. 596. A thin shoe will not

W \ admit of any fullering, because it weakens the shoe, with-

ujl)' out giving any special advantage in nailing. The stamp

/; ; form of punching the holes should be used ; that is, the

• :•.

1 1

' ; / hole made larger at the surface and smaller at the bot-

' I •
'•• •

-G

*FiG. 465.
Too Close. * Fig. 466. — Action with Low Heels and Oblique Fetloci<. ,

tom, so that the nail-heads will fit into it exactly.

The method of driving the nails is next worthy of considera-

CH i

tion. There are two methods ; one, starting the nail
rather near the outer surface and driving high, called the

English method, which is practiced very generally in this ' '. < i
country ; the other, starting the nail deep and bringing

out low, known as the French method, which leading au- i /• )

thorities concede to be the best. If the nail is driven very i ' •' I

near the surface, it is liable to chip or break the horn out, /?V ,

which injures and weakens the wall very much ; whereas ^ \\ \

driving deep and bringing out low, insures a good hold, • »* I

and the wall will be almost grown out by the next shoe- i Hv)

ing. Consequently they should be punched deep over i ' ,' i

those points where the wall is thickest, and less so toward ^-o/ |

the quarters where it is thinnest, or proportionately far- v^ , 1

ther from the outer margin of the shoe. '

The common method of fullering all shoes alike, and *Fig. 467.

bringing the nails at the same distance from the edge. Action that

can be no more adapted for all kinds of feet than can Slriites.

the size of the shoe itself This straight-jacket way of punching

* In connection with figures 465, 466, 467, and 470, see page 337.

SlIOHnYG.

33

all alike, brings the nail-holes at the same location at each repeti-
tion of shoeing, so that if the shoe becomes loose, or is pulled off,
this part of the wall is liable to be torn off, or so split and broken

Fig. 468. Fig. 469.

Thin-heeled Shoe Advised by Prof. Williams of Edinborough Veterinary College.

as to leave only a soft, imperfect horn. In resetting such a shoe,
it becomes necessary to put it farther back under the foot in order
to gain secure nail-hold. Not only this, but the portion of the pro-
jecting wall being cut down to the shoe, leaves it deformed and

injured to an extent that

several months' growth

cannot repair. But if the

holes be punched over

parts that would give as

secure hold, the shoe can

be nailed on sufficiently

firm to hold it without

doing harm, and thereby

preserve the symmetry

of the foot In such a

case it may be necessary

to nail rather close to the

heels ; but even this had

better be done for a short

time than risk injury and

malformation by the method named.
If by carelessness or otherwise a nail should be driven into the
quick, which will usually be known by the horse's flinching, it should
be pulled out at once ; or should a horse show soreness after being

1 ,
1 •

1 1
1 /

1 1

< •

1 1

0

1 *

\ 1

\ 1

1 '.
1 1

t '
1 >

I;

X 1

' 1

1 ,

1 ,

^

. 1

1

1

1 t

1 1
t 1

*FlG

470.

Faulty

Action

Too Wide.

Fig. 471. — Fool Prepared for Shoe.

34

SHOEING.

Fig. 473. — Fool at Point of Heel on Thick Shoes.

Fig. 473.— Shoe Fitted as it Should Be.

taken out of the shop, the foot should be examined carefully by tap-
ping over the part, and the nail at the point of soreness pulled out.
(For more details, see treatment for Pricking and Rucking.)

Clinching Down the Nails.

When the nail is twisted off, the end should be filed down to
the proper length, and, with
the corner of the rasp or lit-
tle punch, cut out the pith
or raised part under the
clinch, and turn down light-
ly but firmly. The common
custom is to make a deep
notch with the corner of
the rasp, which extends
across the face of the hoof
from one nail to the other.

This is so injurious that
it should not be permitted
even to the smallest degree.
No rasping of the outer sur-
face of the wall should be
allowed, excepting to touch
or smooth any roughness
of the clinches, and to
round of the edge of the
wall dawn near the shoe.
It has been explained under
the proper head, that the
inner surface of the wall
soft and spongy, and that
as it approaches the outer
surface, it becomes hard and ^

bony, and the fibers closer and denser, and that over the surface is a
sort of skin or thin covering of enamel, that prevents too rapid evap-
oration of moisture ; and it is necessary to retain intact this strong
fibrous horn, as well as its outer covering, so as to hold the nails
firmly, as well as to prevent the excessive evaporation of moisture
which would follow.

Should the shoe be too short, which is liable to happen, to
remedy the difficulty it is the common custom to set it back under
the wall, and rasp the thick, strong wall, extending out over the

Fig. 474. — Adjustment between Heel and Turn of Foot.

Fig. 475.— Adjustment at Turn of Foot.

SHOEING.

35

shoe, clown to it. Or, should the shoe be too straight or narrow for
the foot across the points of nailing, to drive the nails so deeply as

not only to endanger
pricking, but greatly to
weaken the wall.

The excessive rasp-
ing not only destroys
the strongest part of
the wall, that best able
to retain the nail-holes
and support concus-
sion, but causes a se-
rious internal disease
not usually understood,
which shows its effect
in an absorption of the
Fig. 523 is a good illustration of this. The speci-
men from which it is drawn was obtained from Dr. Hamill. The
small sketch is full size, and shows the exact appearance of its sur-
face, and small points of horn which are over a quarter of an inch

long, extending out like pegs.

Shoeing the Hind Feet.
There is usually so little

Fig. 476.— Tips.
the French.

bone beneath.

From

Fig. 477.— Thin Strip Set in
Hoof. From Lafosse.

Fig. 478.— Tips Applied to the Coil's Foot.

Fig. 479. — Thin Shoe. From Lafosse^

trouble with the hind feet, that it is scarcely necessary to give any
directions as to their management. The horn is thickest at the
quarters, and the principal nailing should be done there. Some-

36

SIIOEIiVG.

times there is a curling under or
contracting of the heels, which
may be the cause of more or less
inflammation, extending to the
sheaths of tendons and other parts
of the leg ; in such a case, if
thought advisable, either or both
quarters can be treated as ex-
plained under that head in "Con-
traction."

Pricking and Rucking.

I think it advisable, in this con-
nection, to say a few words about
pricking, which is more common
than many suppose. It is not un-
usual, indeed it is a very common

occurrence, to drive the nail too near the quick or into it, and thus
by a little carelessness cause great harm. First, if the nail be driven
so as to go to the quick, in which case the horse may show it by
flinching, it should in all cases be pulled out at once, and the hole

Fig 480 — Shoe Adjusted. From the Germaa

Fig, 481.— Model Shoes.

Fig 482. — Showing Location of Nails.

be left vacant. If this is done, no harm will follow. Sometimes
the smith, especially if he expects to be scolded, will drive the
nail down, which in a few hours or next day will show itself by

SHOEING.

37

making the horse lame ; or the nail may be driven so deeply as to
go near the soft parts of the inner edge, and when the point strikes

the hard horn
of the outer
surface, it may
bend inward or
press upon and
break through
to the sensitive
parts. This is
called rucking,
as shown in Fig.
508. The nail
shouldbepulled
out at once.

Another cause of harm is what is termed fitting and drawing the
nails too closely. If the nails are driven rather deep, and clinched
down firmly, they are liable to bend inward and press upon the
sensitive parts. This is called pinching. If present when the horse
is shod, and it is noticed that the nails are driven rather deep for the
thickness of the wall, insist upon their being driven farther out.

An ignorant or thoughtless man may claim there is no danger,

though he is driving the nails
much too deep. Should the
horse show soreness or lameness
within three or four days after
being shod, especially if he puts

Fig. 483. —Examining the Shoe.

Fig 484. — Location of Nails.

Fig. 485. — French Method of Nailing

the foot forward to ease it, give the matter attention at once. First
rest the hand lightly upon the hoof to discover whether there is any
unusual heat, and if so, at what point ; next take a light hammer
or small stone, and tap lightly round over the nails, until the horse

38

SHOEING.

Fig. 486. — The Hoof of a Fore Fool Showing the Bad
Effects of Excessive Rasping.

flinches, when the of-
fending nail or nails
can be discovered and
pulled out. If this is
done soon after being
shod or during the
same day, all that may
be necessary to do is to
leave the nail out.

I have had excellent
success by pouring a
little callendula into
the hole. In one case,
where there was con-
siderable soreness a
few hours after being
shod, though the horse
was quite lame on ac-
count of the nail being
driven too deep, after
pulling out then ail, a
little callendula was poured in, and the shoe again put on, and the
horse in a few hours was free from lameness. But if he shows lame-
ness in a day or so after being shod, cut away the wall from around

the hole, so as to
let out any mat-
ter which may
have fo r m e d.
Next poultice the
foot until the in-
flammation sub-
sides, then cover
the hole with a
little digestive
ointment (which
is made by melt-
ing together equal
parts of tar and
hog's lard, and
stirring till cool), over which put a little tow and put on the shoe.

Contraction. Its Cure.

For hundreds of years there has been great effort made to pre-

FiG. 487. — Shoe Properly Adjusted and Nailed.

SHOEING.

39

Fig. 488.— Good Model of Concave Shoe.

vent and cure con-
traction. I give
a variety of figures
showing some
forms of shoes and
methods of ex-
panding the quar-
ters.

Contraction
may be divided
into three class-
es : 1. A general
compression, or
drawing in of the
wall upon the
vascular struct-
ure ; 2. When but
one or both quarters are drawn in ; 3. When the heels are curled
in, or pushed forward under the foot. The prevention and cure of
contraction must depend upon re-
moving excess of horn, frog-press-
ure, freedom of the quarters, or, if
necessary, opening them mechan-
ically as desired, and upon moist-
ure. Any of these conditions
lacking, there must in serious
cases be partial or entire failure,
no matter what the means or
methods used. If the feet could
have conditions that would afford natural moisture, and the shoes be

made so thin that the frog
and sole could have reason-
able contact with the ground,
the quarters so free that
they could expand with the
growth of the feet, there
could be but little if any
contraction.

Frog-Pressure.

Fig. 489.— Ordinary Calks.

Fig. 490. - Adjustable Calk.

We see that in all cases
where there is reasonable

40

SHOEING.

frog-pressure, the frog becomes larger, firm-
er, and more elastic ; while raising the frog
from contact causes it to become small and
hard, the quarters to draw in, and the whole
foot to diminish more or less in size. But if
not accustomed to pressure, it should be
given gradually, in connection with keeping
the feet thoroughly softened, so as not to
excite inflammation or soreness. It would
not do for a man accustomed to wearing
boots for years to suddenly go barefoot on
rough, hard ground. The skin on the feet
is so thin that they would be made sore,
and would be liable to serious inflamma-
tion. In like manner it would not be pru-
dent to bring the heels and frog of a horse's
foot that has long been protected by shoes, suddenly to the ground.
If there is but little contraction, with fairly good condition of the
feet, all that will be necessary to do is to level down the feet, and

Fig. 491.— Adjustable Calks.

Fig. 492. — Model of Shoe for Express Horses.
From Dr. HamiU's Collection.

Fig. 493. — The Goodenough Shoe.

remove any surplus of old horn from the sole, put on thin-heeled
shoes, and keep the feet soft by moisture.

The next simplest and best method would be to use the convex
shoe. See Figs. 552 -554. After leveling and trimming out the
foot properly, as betore explained, cut away or weaken the arch bc-
23 a

SUOETNG.

41

tween the bars and
frog sufficiently to
allow of some elas-
ticity of the quar-
ters, then fit the
heels nicely to the
bearing surface of
the shoe. In doing
this, care should be
taken to leave therri
sufficiently deep to
enable matching
the bevel of the
shoe nicely without
cutting away or
lowering the wall
too much. No horn
should be left pro-
jecting inside, as it
would form a wall
against the inner
edge of the shoe,
and prevent the heels from spreading. Of course, no nails should
be driven back in the quarters. As before explained, the frog
should gradually be given contact with the ground. As the quar-
ters are opened, the shoe can be taken off, made larger, and reset,
until the foot is reasonably expanded, when a level bearing-surface
may again be used.

But for anything like a bad condition
of contraction, more direct and positive
treatment will be necessary. For ex-
ample, if the foot is badly contracted,
the frog small, and sole forced upward
acutely, the whole internal structure,
in fact, locked and tied, as it were, by
the severe compression of the wall,
three conditions are necessary : First,
complete elasticity of quarters and sole ;
second, power to open quarter so as to
relieve pressure, and allow the sole to
settle back to its natural position ; third,
gradual frog-pressure so as to restore a

Fig. 494. — A Dried Hoof with Frog Removed.

Fig. 495.— The Frog.

42

SHOEIXG.

Fi(i. 496.— Mobility entirely
Destroyed in Rigtit Foot.

healthy condition of circulation and
strength of parts. The first important
step in the treatment is to thoroughly
soften the feet. The simplest way of do-
ing this in the stables is by tying two or
three thicknesses of blanket around the
feet and keeping them wet about twenty-
four hours ; or better, fill two small
bags with bran, put a foot into each, and
tie a string loosely around the top of the
bag and leg above the fetlock. Put
each foot into a bucket of water, and
afterward pour on water to keep wet ;
or the horse can be made to stand in
mud till the feet are soft.

There is usually a large accumulation
of horn, especially at the heel, all of
which must be removed, and the wall
leveled down to its proper dimensions.
Next, with the drawing-knife pare out
the sole ; not enough to make it bend to pressure, but more than
beyond the removal of the old horn. Then with a small knife,
which should be made expressly for the purpose, — let the blade be
made straight, with a cutting edge on both sides, and the end turned

about a quarter of an
i n c h, tempered and
ground down to a keen
edge, so as not to cut
a channel much more
than one eighth to
three sixteenths of an
inch wide, — weaken
the wall between the
bars and frog, by scrap-
ing or cutting out the
bottom of the channel
back to the point of the
heel so much that when pressure is brought upon the heels outward,
there will be no impediment to their opening freely at their upper
edge. To do this, commence well forward near the point of the
frog, and cut back, following the line of the arch carefully. Particu-

FiG. 497. — Siiowing Great Excess of Horn.

SIIOETXG.

43

Fig. 498. — Shoe loo Wide and Long,
too Concave.

Bearing-suiface

lar care should be taken not to cut so much at any part as to cause

bleeding. On this
account the op-
erator should feel
his way cautious-
ly, cutting deeper
as he goes back.
The bar should
be cut away to
within three quar-
ters of an inch
from the point of
the heel. No more
should be cut
away from the
rest of the bar, or
part coming un-
der the clip, than

may be necessary to give a straight shoulder for it to rest against.

Both sides must be treated alike. If the part has been cut through

in the least, it should be protected after the shoe is on by melting

a little resin and tallow

into it, and covering

with tow.

There have been

many ignorant and

pretentious quacks,

who have presumed to

weaken the heel by

sawing in between the

bars and frog. Only a

very small point can be

reached in this way,

without cutting to the quick. The saw cannot be used here at all

with advantage. The point is to weaken the horn at the bottom

of the cleft so that it will spread freely, and this can be done prop-
erly only with the cutting-knife. The proper flexibility of the

heels can be judged by a slight pressure with the hand.

This done, our next object is to remove the compression of the

wall. To do this, fit to it a rather thin, flat shoe, made of good iron.

At the neels it should be made a little wider and longer than the

Fig. 499. —Concave Bearing-surface of Shoe 498 at Heel.

B

Fig. 500.— Concave Bearing-surface of Shoe 498 bs-
tween Heel and Turn cf Foot.

Fig. 501. — Concave Bearing-surface of Same at Turn of Foot.

44

SHOnma.

foot, and the nail-holes punched, as in Fig. 565. Lay on the shoe as
intended to be nailed, and with a pencil make a mark over the inside
of the bar at the point of the heel on both sides. This done, accu-
rately punch or
drill two holes
through the iron,
about three six-
teenths of an
inch in diameter.
If it can be done,
it would be bet-
ter to have the
holes beveled on
the inside of the
bar. extending
up and back at
the point of the
heel. Next, take
two little pieces
of good iron or steel, about three fourths to seven eighths of an
inch long, by about three sixteenths thick, and about five eighths
of an inch wide. Cut down the end until it will fit the hole in the

Fig. 503. — View of Hoof with Marked Depression across the
Front, and a Corresponding Bulging downwards of the Sole.

Fig. 503.— Model Thin-heeled Shoe.

Fig. 504.— Light Hind Shoe.

shoe, and rivet it, as shown in Fig. 557. These are now to be
warmed and bent, and, if necessary, filed so as to lie flat against

SHOEING.

45

both heels, and just long enough to come a little short of touch-
ing the soft horn above it. Next weaken the shoe a little on both
sides, which may be extended over a much larger space than shown
in Fig. 558 ; or if the shoe is not very heavy, it may be spread

without weak-

enmg.
late so

Regu-

FiG. 505.— Sole and Wall Cut
away too much.

Fig. 506.— Wall not Cut away
Quite Enough.

as to
come a little
forward of the
point where the
hoof begins to
draw in. If the
shoe is thin,
the inner edge
shoul d be
turn up and
formed into a
clip, which,
with a little care, can be filed and fitted.
But if the shoe is at all thick, it would be
somewhat difficult to do this ; for if the clip is turned up so that the
shoe is too large or too small, a very tedious, annoying bungle
would be the result. In addition, it would be difficult to make the
clips sufficiently long to enable bringing pressure as high up against
the wall as it will admit, which is a very important point toward
opening the upper part of the hoof.

The method before given, which neces-
sity compelled me to devise and adopt,
makes this simple and easy to do ; and
except the shoe is so thin as not to admit
of punching or drilling, it will be found
by far the simplest and best method of
forming the clips. When properly adjust-
ed, nail on carefully. The nails around
the toe may be larger than those driven
in the quarters ; and while driven so as
to give a good hold, and rather high, if the
feet are at all sore and tender, great care should be taken that the
hammering is not too heavy, nor the nails driven deep. The
clinches should simply be turned down lightly. If the hoof ex-
tends out over the shoe at any point, it should be no reason for
more rasping than merely to round off the edges of the horn. Let

Fig. 507.— Heel as it Usually
Rests on the Shoe.

46

SHOEING.

it alone. It is frequently the case that one quarter is more con-
tracted than the other ; in fact, it is not unusual to have one side
of the heel very much drawn in, while the other may be very lit-
tle, if any, contracted ; so that two conditions must be met ; namely,

Fig. 508.— Bad Nailing.

Fig. 509.— Nail Rucked.

Fig. 510. — Good Nailing.

first, to open either heel as little or as much as may be desired,
independent of the other. This the spreaders (which have been
devised and patented by the writer) will enable doing in the most
perfect manner. Simple as these spreaders are, the writer has
found it very difficult to have them made properly. On this ac-
count he has found it necessary to have them made according to an

exact pattern,
and they will be
furnished at a
moderate price
to those desiring
them.

However nec-
essary it may
be to have this
part of the work
well done, it is, in
reality, but a
preparatory step
for what follows.
First, if tongs or a screw be used to spread the shoe, the pressure
being made equal on both sides, the side which is weakest must do

Fig. 511. — Transverse Section of the Hoof of tlie Fore Fool of a
Work Horse in which the Sole had Become Convex.

SHOEING.

47

all the bending — opening that quarter too much without affecting
the other at all. Another cause of difficulty is not having the
tongs convenient with which to spread the shoe, and it is put off
too long ; and when finally attempted, done so roughly, or opened

so much as to
cause violent in-
flammation and
lameness. With the
spreaders, this dif-
ficulty is entirely
overcome.

Opening the
Heels.

The method of
doing this should
be about as fol-
lows : First, meas-
ure between the
heels of the shoe
carefully, by "cut-
ting a bit of straw
©r stick the exact length between them, and then estimate how
much each heel will bear opening without causing soreness. Un-
less the foot is very soft and elastic, it is hardly prudent the first
time to open them more than a quarter or three eighths
of an inch. It is well to first open the quarter most
contracted, which, until brought out to
balance with the other, should be
opened the most. Then measure again
and spread the opposite side. If
opened too much, or enough to cause
soreness, a few light taps of the ham-
mer against the outside will set it back.
The feet should be kept soft by stop-
ping with flaxseed-meal, and tying two
or three thicknesses of blanket around,
and wetting occasionally. In the course
of an hour or two examine the condi-
tion of the feet carefully. If the horse puts out one foot, or indi-
cates the least soreness, the quarters have been opened too much,

• Fig. 512. Fig, 513. Fig. 514.

Shoe Should Conform to Foot. The Shoe Being too Small and
Badly Abjusted, the Foot is Compressed
and Necessarily Injured.

Figs. 515, 516. — Very Common Re

suit of Wearing Small, Bad

Fitting Shoes.

48

SHOEIXG.

and they must be at once knocked back sufficiently to relieve the
undue pressure, and be kept wet. It is rarely, however, that the
spreading of a quarter, or even three eighths, of an inch, will at
first cause any soreness. On the contrary, it always gives relief.
Still I think it necessary to use care. The horse can be driven or
worked moderately, if desired. In two or three days the spread-
ing can be repeated, but now not so much as before^ and again in
three or four days following, and so on at longer intervals.

If the foot has been properly prepared, two points will be ac-
complished by this spreading, namely, the severe compression upon

Fig. 517.— Nalura! Position. Fig. 518.— Effect of Contraction
Good Shoeing. and Soreness.

Fig. 519. — Extreme Case
of Contraction and Soreness.

the vascular structure and coronary ring will be immediately re-
lieved, and the sole, which in all cases of this character has been
forced up, as shown, to an acute angle, will straighten and let down.
To aid this, the sole must, by paring, be made so flexible that, as
the foot is opened, it will settle down and come back to its natural
condition. The soreness resulting from the compression of the
parts will be removed, and a better condition of circulation and nu-
trition result. By this course the mobility will not only be re-
stored, the horse travel with more freedom and confidence, but as
the hoof grows down it will become thicker and of a better fiber.

As before explained, to bring about a healthy condition of cir-
culation and nutrition, the frog must necessarily be given contact
with the ground to the degree it will bear, which should be provided

SHOEING.

49

for by the thinness of the shoe. In some simple cases, nailing the
shoe to the heel, as shown in Fig. 558, may be sufficient to hold the
quarters firmly enough to enable spreading them as desired The
objection is that the wall is so thin at the point of the heels, that it
may be difficult to get a good nail-hold without pricking or break-
ing out ; besides, the nailing cannot be repeated. The nails should
be small and driven very carefully, getting as much hold as the horn
will admit of. The supposed objection to this plan of opening the
quarters is, that it prevents their natural elasticity by their undue
confinement. But this is not a valid objection ; because in the di-

FiGS. 520, 521. — How a Horse Stands when Sore-footed or Lame.

rection it is desired to give them freedom outward, it only facilitates
it, while at the same time it gives a certainty and positiveness of re-
lief that cannot well be secured in any other way.

In fact, herein lies most of the success in the management of all
conditions of contraction. In my experience I never have found a
smith who could catch the points of properly preparing the foot and
fitting the shoes for such cases. In every instance I have been
compelled .to stand over the shoer and dictate every movement or
do part of the work myself First, the want of judgment in prepar-
ing the foot ; second, in adapting the weight of the shoe to the foot,
and fitting the clips so as to enable opening the quarters easily and
.surely as desired.

Mr. Roberge's Method.

Since writing the foregoing my attention has been called to a

50

SHOETXG.

Fui. 522— Anterior Section of a Hind Hoo} Made

Vertically across the Center, Showing the

Thickness of Wall.

very simple and practical method of opening the quarters for the
cure of contraction, which is used with marked success, and illus-
trated in Fig. 566, devised by Mr. David Roberge, a practical horse-
shoer of great ingenuity
and skill, located at No.
106 West Thirtieth
Street, New York City.
Various methods of open-
ing the heels on this plan
are given, which are from
French and other author-
ities, to show the great ef-
fort that has been made
by mechanical means to
overcome this difficulty.
But Mr. Roberge, by giv-
ing more length to the
spring, and simplifying its
construction, makes it all
that can be desired. The
spring is made of steel, the exact proportion and adjustment of
which is shown in Fig. 567. The wall is first weakened by sawing
down slightly between the heel and frog, when the spring is placed

in position with so much force
given to it as may be thought
necessary to press the heels out-
ward as desired. The shoe is
then nailed on over it, as ordi-
narily done. The pressure is
gradual and constant, and must
prove just the_^thing where both
quarters will admit of equal
pressure. But should one quar-
ter be much more contracted or
unyielding than the other, it
does not seem to the writer that
it would work so well, because
the full pressure would then be
thrown on the weaker quarter.
But this, it is claimed, can be

Fig. 523.— The Effect of Internal Inflammation,
Caused by Excessive Rasping and
Other Causes of Injury

obviated by nailing the shoe well back on the quarter of the op-
posite side, which would prevent that side from being acted upon

SHOEING.

This spring, with particulars, can be obtained by addressing the
patentee, Mr. Roberge.

Rolling Motion Shoe.

I also give illustrations of a form of shoe devised and largely-
used by him with great success, which he has patented. The object

to be attained is, where
there is want of mobil-
ity, or much soreness
and inflammation, to so
form and adjust the shoe
that the foot will partly
roll upon the ground,
thereby relieving the
strain and irritation. To
use Mr. Roberge's words,
" This shoe, by allowing
the foot to roll upon the ground, gives the foot the advantage of
an extra joint, and to that degree relieves the strain or want of
mobility, which causes lameness or soreness." Consequently, it
not only enables the horse to travel easier, but aids in making a
cure. This principle of treatment he has studied very closely, and
it is remarkably successful.

This principle of treatment has long been in use. I give an il-
lustration from Lafosse, showing a side view of the hoof fitted for the

Fig. .524. — Transverse Section of a Model Hoof
at the Quarters.

Fig. 525.— Showing the Usual Arch
of the Sole.

Fig. 526.— Showing Effect of
a Little Contraction.

Fig. 527.— Sole Bent
Upwards. Effect
of Contraction.

shoe ; also a specimen of the French shoe. The principle is to turn up
the shoe at the heel and toe about the thickness of the iron. Mr.
Roberge's shoe differs essentially from this, in that he gives a curv-
ature sidewa}'s as well as with the length of the foot. What he
terms his " best shoe," and which is the most unusual, is Fig. 568,
which is a thin plate hammered into a rounded or bowl shape, the

52

SHOEING.

exact proportions of which are preserved in the drawings given.
Fig. 570 is a side view, which will give a good idea of the relative
proportion of the curve. By this form of shoe the foot has perfect

Fig. 528.— Hinge Shoe. From the French. Fig. 529.— Form of Shoe Devised in England

for Preventing Contraction.

freedom of motion either way. If the foot is feverish or dry, wet
sponge or oakum is pushed in between the shoe and bottom of the
foot. Fig. 572 is a view of the same made a little heavier, the same
form of circle being preserved, with the difference of the central
part being removed with cross-section of the same. The shoe from
which this drawing was made was claimed to be the same that was
worn by Dexter when he made his fastest time to road wagon.
Figs. 575, 576, show the method of putting on calkins. In conversa-
tion with the writer, Mr. Bonner stated that David Roberge was one
of the very foremost living students of the principles of shoeing. He
is an unassuming, practical man, but is wonderfully successful.

Quarter-Crack.

This is the one difficulty next to con-
traction which seems to have baffled the
skill of the best veterinary authorities
and horsemen to prevent or cure ; because
in extreme cases they had no practical
treatment beyond that of a bar shoe, cut-
ting away the horn so that the part back
of the split would have no bearing upon
it, or supporting the weak parts by
drawing the edges together with nails,
or fastening on a plate with screws, all
of which are merely palliative, and not
to be depended upon. It would, of course,

Fig. 530. — Form of Shoe Used

by the French for the Cure

of Contraction.

SHOEING.

53

be easy to grow the foot down by keeping the horse in a stall or
small yard where the ground is soft, but when put to work it -would
be liable to split down again as before. Consequently it has been
one of the most vexatious and annoying of difficulties, because
to do this it was necessary to keep the horse idle from three to six

months; a n d

then, when put to

work, if by chance

he were driven

sharply over hard

or frozen roads,

the quarter was

liable to burst,

which would again

make the loss of

use necessary. Or F^«- 532.-ShoelVladein Sec-

., , tions and Riveted together

It became neces- . _ . « , ..

to Prevent Contraction.

sary to resort to

the palliative measures referred to, and
thus in time the value of an otherwise
good horse would be destroyed.

We see, in the first place, that the whole trouble arises from the
hoof becoming contracted or too small for the internal parts. This
will be most noticeable at the inner quarter by the wall becoming
straight or drawn in sharply a little below the hair, the part at which
the split invariably occurs. This is proved by the fact that the

Fig. 531.

Figs. 533, 534, 535. — Different Forms of Shoes for Cure of Contraction.

quarter is most liable to burst or split when the hoof is dry and
hard, or when concussion is increased by driving on hard roads.
This tendency to split is also increased by the inferior quality of
horn grown ; because the contraction of the parts, or pressing of the
wall in against the soft parts, so obstructs the circulation that there

54

SHOEING.

Fig. 536. — Ordinary English Shoe.

is not sufficient blood

to grow sound, tough,

healthy horn. On

this account the only

reliable and practical

cure is opening the

quarters sufficiently

to remove pressure

until the new horn is

grown, which can be

done to any degree

desired, as follows :

First, cut down be-
tween the bar and the

frog of the inner

quarter, as explained

for contraction, until

it will yield readily

to pressure. Next cut

away the edges of the wall to the end of the split ; then make a

crease with the firing-iron at the edge of the hair. If the spilt ex-
tends well up into the coronary band, this can be omitted, and in-
.stead, the iron touched lengthways with the split. If, however, the

quarter is properly
opened, such inter-
ference with the firing-
iron will be unneces-
sary, as the horn
would usually grow
down sound without
it. Now, fit a shoe as
explained for contrac-
tion, putting a clip
only upon the inner
side (as shown in Fig.
585). The opposite
side is to be nailed
well back to counter-
balance it. When the
shoes are nailed on,
with the spreaders
open the quarter all

Fig. 537.— Bearing-ourface of Ordinary English Shoe.

SHOEING.

55

it will bear without producing soreness, or about a quarter of an
inch. This done, fill the crack with a little melted resin or tallow,
over which put a little tow to prevent gravel or dirt from working
into the quick. It is next advisable to stimulate the growth of
tough, healthy horn. This can be done with hoof liniment, which
should be put on, as explained, two or three times a week. The
hoof should not be permitted to become dry or hard, which can be
easily prevented by stopping with flaxseed-meal and tying two or
three thicknesses of blanket around the foot, and keeping wet while
standing in the stable. The horse, if necessary, can be put to work
as usual. In the course of a few days, spread a little more, or as

Fig. 5.38. Fig. 539.

Forms of Spring Used for Spreading the Quarters.

much as may be necessary to make the hoof sufficiently wide to re-
move all pressure from the weak part. When grown down, the
cause will be removed.

If an ordinary case, with but little drawing in of the quarters,
simply lower the inside quarter a little so as to remove pressure from
the upper edge of the wall, and put on a level shoe. Next, with a
firing-iron burn a slight crease across the upper edge of the wall,
keeping the foot soft, and stimulating the growth by applications
of hoof liniment. This will enable growing the wall down without
its splitting back. But if the quarter is drawn in perceptibly, then
in addition to the creasing, the quarter must be given entire freedom,
by cutting down between the bar and frog. The details of a very in-
teresting case, and explanations of how I learned this method of treat-
ment, and its success, will be found in connection with this part of
treatment in my special work on the horse.

50

SHOEING.

Fig. 540.— Hinge Bar Shoe for Cure
of Contraction.

Sand Crack, or Fissure at the Toe.

Th''' is usually the result of a diseased condition or ulceration
of the upper anterior part of the coffin-bone, caused by injury to the
part. In a large number of dissections made by Mr. Gamgee, to
whom I am indebted for treatment here given, he found cases of the

pyramidal process to be common, and
a depression down in front to be also
frequent. The front of such feet is.
weak and deficient both in hoof and
bone. The bottom of the foot must
have nothing removed from it except
to level it down at the quarters. The
front of the hoof should be left rather
long and deep, the shoe to come well
back under the quarters, and clips to be
taken up, one on each side of the toe.
When the shoe is applied, the clips are
neither to be let into the wall nor
roughly hammered up to it, but to be
drawn just tight enough to support and
hold the part firm. For treatment of the fissure, take tar and
resin one ounce and tallow a quarter of an ounce, and melt together.
Apply this while warm to the fis-
sure of the hoof and coronet, then
place a layer of tow over this
dressing, and bind the wall of the
foot with a broad tape, to support
its position and keep the part firm.
A cure in bad cases is not to be
expected.

Corns.

Corns are usually to be found at
the inner heel, or at the angle be-
tween the bar and the crust, and
are caused by the shoe pressing
upon the part. This will be most
likely to occur should the wall
break down, or be cut away so much
as to let the shoe rest upon the sole, or should the shoe be nailed
well back on the outside and toe, as then, if left on too long, it will
be drawn outward and forward so much that the inner heel will be
24 a

Fig. 541. — Spring Inside Shoe Riveted to
Toe Part for Expanding Quarters.

SHOEING.

57

drawn under the quarter, and
rest upon this part, bruising
it. When the sensitive sole
is thus bruised, the effused
blood mixes with the horn\-
matter and makes a red spot,
and if the irritation is contin-
ued so as to produce very
much inflammation, ulcera-
tion may take place, which
would, in some cases, be suf-
ficient to affect the inner wing
of the coffin-bone, and cause
matter to break out at the
coronet. Sometimes when

Fig. 542. — Showing the Effect upon the Pedal
Bone of Sole Bulging Down.

the quarter is very much contracted,
the space between the bar and quar-
ter being greatly lessened, it causes
such bruising or pressure upon the
soft parts as to excite inflammation, or
cause a corn. The usual remedy is to
cut away the parts so that the shoe
will not rest upon it, and put on a
little caustic, or touch it with a hot
iron, which destroys sensibility, and
changes the condition of secretion.
Butter of antimony or salts of niter
are favorite remedies ; then melt in
a little tar, resin, and tallow, and cover
with a little tow to prevent gravel
or dirt working into the tender part.
The usual way in severe cases, is to
put on a bar shoe, so as to enable
removing all pressure from the sore
part. This mode of treatment, how-
ever, as usually done, is only pallia-
tive, not curative. The horse will
travel better, but if the shoe is left on
a little too long, or presses upon the
part in the least, or should gravel or

Fig. 543. — Representation of tlie
Last Six Bones of the Foot,
Showing Great Change
of Structure.

58

SUOUING.

Fig. 544. — Showing Bearing-
surface of Shoe Shown
in Fig. 544.

dirt accumulate between the part and the shoe, inflammation and

lameness will follow. The only remedy

for this is to remove the pressure. But

in time by this treatment the difficulty is

only aggravated and made worse. Hence

the usual assertion that " corns cannot

be cured."

Gifford, one of my old performing

horses, had a very bad bruise (corn) on

one of his inner heels, which, if not care-
fully attended to, caused serious lameness.

After being troubled with it about seven

years, it had grown to such proportions

as to involve the entire angle at the heel,

so that the horn was broken quite

through, and the sensitive structure partly

ulcerated. At the close of the season's
business, there was considerable inflamma-
tion and soreness in the entire foot. All
palliative measures having failed, it finally
occurred to me to try the experiment of re-
moving all pressure from the part, and
turning the horse out to grass. But there
was another serious difficulty, to which,
in part, some of the soreness might be at-
tributed. By the contraction or curling
under of the outer heel, it had become so
weak that it could scarcely be made to
support his weight in traveling, so I decided
to treat this at the same time. The divis-
ion between the bar and frog of this side
was well thinned out to make the quarter
flexible. Next a thin shoe of untempered
steel, a little more than an eighth of an
inch thick, was made to fit accurately to
the wall (as shown by Fig. 588), the end
being turned up for a clip, and fitted
nicely to its place. The part of the op-
posite heel of the shoe coming over the

corn, was entirely cut away, leaving simply sufficient to cover the

wall, which at this point was very thin. The shoe was now fastened

on sufficiently to hold it firmly in place, but with very small nails.

Fig. 545. — Form of Concave

Shoe Used by the French for

Expanding the Quarters.

SHOEING.

59

There was no rasping or attempt to beautify the foot in any way.
Figs. 586 and 589 give a very good idea of the appearance of the

foot before and after the shoe was
put on. The quarter was now care-
fully opened about three eighths of

Fig. 546. Fig. 547.

Devices for Cure of Contraction Used by ttie Frencti.

an inch, without causing any irritation. Nothing was put over the
bruise or corn, nor was it meddled with in any way. The horse
was now turned out to grass daily. At first he moved very
tenderly, though not lame. In a week the heel was again opened
a little more, and again at intervals until opened out as desired. In
a few weeks the tenderness, fever, and in-
flammation subsided ; and at the expiration
of three months the corn was entirely cured,
there being a healthy growth of sole over
the part, leaving only a slight appearance

Fig. 548. — Screw for Spreading Stioe.

Fig. 549. — The Shoe as Adjusted.

of redness, on account of not being entirely grown out. The con-
tracted quarter was also out to its natural position, the change for
the better in all respects being very gratifying. An ordinary flat
shoe was now put on, when he traveled as well as ever. The ma-

60

SHOEING.

jority of such cases can be easily cured while the horse is kept at

his usual work, by putting on an open shoe if the foot will bear it,

if not, a light bar shoe, with the

part coming under the corn en-
tirely cut away, leaving only

sufficient to cover the wall. It

will not matter whether the bar

is cut away or not, as there will

be nothing over it to harbor

gravel or dirt. It would be ad-
visable to fit the shoe carefully,

or even drive two or three nails,

to know exactly the position of

the shoe upon the wall. Then

mark the part to be cut out, when

the nails can be pulled out, the

part cut or filed away properly, and the shoe again nailed in place.
The success in the treatment of the case referred to, led me to

believe I had made an important discovery, as I had not found it

laid down by any authorities on
shoeing. Since then, upon in-
vestigation, I have found that the
principle was we/ understood by
many old authorities, though the
method of treatment, as will be
seen, was slightly different.

On page 96 of Freeman's
work on " Shoeing," published
in 1796, he says : —

Fig. 550.— The Shoe Made Wider than Foot,

with Clips at the Heels for Opening the

Quarters. A French Device.

Fig. 551. — Form of Screw

Used by the French for

Spreading the Shoe.

I have frequently bought horses whose
feet, on examination, proved to have
corns, occasioned by ill-made shoes hav-
ing pressed upon them. These were, in general, easily
cured by paring the feet properly where the grievance
lay, and turning the horse out without shoes for two or
three months.

In the supplement to Coleman's work, pub-
lished in 1802, the writer found, for the cure
of corns, the shoe cut away over the corn, as
shown by Fig. 58Y.

Bracy Clark's work, published in 1809, gives
an illustration of a shoe with that part which
would come over the corn entirely cut away.

SHOEING.

61

The half-moon shoe, or tip, by Lafosse, referred to hereafter, is
claimed to cure corns. Caesar Fiaschi, of the sixteenth century,

gives a figure of a three-quarter shoe,
almost the same form as that of Bracy
Clark's, for this trouble. White's work,
published in 1820, says : —

The only thing to be done is to take oj0f the shoe,
and turn the horse out to grass. In slight cases,
however, this may not be absolutely necessary,
and is often inconvenient, but it is by far the
best plan, and I may add, perJiaps the only effectual
one, when a radical cure is desired.

Weak Heels.

If from any cause there has been much
fever in the feet for some time, in conse-
quence of being driven on hard roads, or being partially foundered,
there will be diminished supply of horn, so that the wall will not
only grow slower, but thinner. (See reference to inflammation and
Figs. 555, 556.)

Sometimes the heels are cut down so closely that should the
shoe work loose, and wear or break down the quarters, it would be

Fig. 552. — French Convex Shoe.

Fig. 553.— Bracy Clark's Convex Shoe.
From his Book Published in 1819.

Fig. 554. — Ordinary Convex Shoe.

easy to produce a weak, low condition of the heels. This may cause
a great deal of trouble, on account of the slowness with which the
horn grows to supply the increased wear. This morbid condition of

62

SHOEING.

inflammation also produces another
very marked effect, namely, that of sep-
arating the wall from the sole, or what
is termed becoming shelly. Sometimes,
if the shoes are badly fitted and made
too wide at the heels (as explained un-
der the head of " Contraction "), they
will soon cause a weak, bad condition
of the heels, the quarter gradually giv-
ing way or breaking down ; and if the
foot is at all flat, the sole and frog be-
come liable to settle, or are made con-
vex.

One of the most marked cases of this
kind the writer ever saw was that of a
cart-horse, brought to his notice in
Central Pennsylvania. The feet were
broad and flat, with the heels drawn
in to a point so that there was scarcely
any bearing of them upon the shoe.

The result

Fig. 555.— The Foot of a Pony thai

had been Calked, Referred to in

Text, after the Inflammation

had Subsided, Growing

Nearly a Quarter of

an Inch Larger.

Fig. 556.-»The Foot Drawn in and
Deformed from Long-continued In-
flammation Caused by a Nail be-
ing Driven into the Foot, the
Hoof Growing About Half an
Inch Larger after the In-
flammation Subsided.

of this was that the horn wore or
broke away until the line of bearing
was over an inch above that of the frosf.
To remedy the difficulty the calks Avere
raised correspondingly high to keep the
frog from the ground. (See Fig. 594.)
This horse traveled with great diffi-
culty, even on a walk.

The course most likely to give suc-
cess in the management of these cases,
is to use a wide shoe that will give a
large bearing-surface to the weak parts,
and sustain them. Of course, nothing
more should be cut away from the
heels than is sufficient to only level
them a little. Special care should be
taken to prevent them from breaking
and wearing down by the shoe, which
may be done by placing a piece of
leather between the bearing-surface
and shoe. As the horn will usually be

SHOEING.

63

Fig. 557.— Shoe for Cure of Con-
traction. Devised by the Writer.

very brittle and weak, it is advisable to
use great care in fitting the shoe, with
thin clips on each side. At any rate, the
shoe must be fastened on so firmly that it
will not get loose. In some cases it may
be necessary to bring the bar down so
as to enable a more accurate line of ad-
justment to the shoe and frog.

When in Massachusetts, in 18Y6, a
leading horseman called my attention to
a fast-trotting stallion that had weak
feet, and which caused him a great deal
of trouble. He wished to know how to
shoe them so as to improve their con-
dition. I found the feet in good shape,
but the sole and wall were very thin and
weak, the effect, undoubtedly, of the
horse being slightly foundered or over-
heated. I advised putting on a shoe
that would support the sole and frog, the
space between the shoe and frog to be
packed with oakum. He objected that
this would not do, as the horse would
not bear any pressure at all upon the

sole. Some time afterward my
attention was called to a very
high indorsement from this gen-
tleman of a certain form of patent
shoe that had been used on this
horse. It stated that it enabled
the horse to travel as well as ever,
and that its utility was all that
could be desired. I was interested
to know just what kind of a shoe
had been used, and when again in
that vicinity, I found one at con-
siderable trouble, of which I give
an accurate drawing. (See Fig.
698.) While it may be evident
that in many such cases the shoe
could be made to support the en-
tire sole, if hammered out of iron.

Fig. 558.— The Shoe Adjusted.

64

SHOEING.

th-e increased weight would make it seriously objectionable. The
fitting of a thin piece of steel plate, as shown in Fig. 5i>8, would en-
able this to be done with but little addition to its weight. The
manner of putting it on was simply by bringing the whole sur-
face of the wall ana frog to an even bearing, to which the shoe was
carefully adjusted.

Next, the space between
the shoe and bottom of the
foot was filled with oakum,
to which was added a little
tar and resin, so as to form
an even but firm support all
the way round.* The draw-
ing of the oakum, as it ap-
pears in Fig. 601, is an ex-
act illustration of that which
was used upon the shoe
named, though only the
back part of it is shown.
Parties who had used the
shoe upon feet which had
become sore and tender
from driving upon hard,
stony roads in the city and
neighborhood, stated that
it enabled the horses to
travel much better. If the
foot is sore and sensitive,
supporting it with a bed of
oakum in this way will
serve to break concussion,'
and consequently make the
horse go better for a time.
But for contraction, quar-
ter-crack, coffin-joint lame-
ness, etc., for which it was advertised as a cure, it cannot benefit
beyond the effect of slightly breaking concussion, as explained.
It would be just the thing for weak heels and for any condition

*A preparation of tar, beeswax, hard soap, and resin, melted and formed into a
salve, to be used with oakum as a packing, was given the writer by a horseman of
much experience, as the best for this purpose, claiming that it softened the feet and
stimulated the secretion of horn.

Fig. 559. — Spreaders in Position to Open the Heels.

SHOEING.

65

Fig. 560.— Back View of a Hcof Greatly

Contracted, the Effect of Long^con-

tinued Inflammation.

where the sole and frog need sup-
port. As it is, however, seriously-
objectionable to cover the whole
bottom of the foot when it can be
avoided, I include cuts of an im-
provement by which the whole
bearing-surface of the frog and
heels, the important parts, can be
supported without the sole being
excluded from moisture or air,
which is important for the secretion
of healthy horn. In such a case, if
desired, the plate instead of being
let to the inner edge, can be ex-
tended across the quarter so that
the upper surface will come even
with the shoe, and be riveted on.

Interfering.

The main point in the management of interfering is to have the
shoe close under the wall at the
point of striking, and the offend-
ing part shortened or straight-
ened a little, and to have
no nails driven there, the
clinches of which would soon
rise and cause cutting. The
edge of the shoe should be bev-
eled under a little, and filed
smooth. There is usually a good
deal of carelessness in letting
the shoe extend outside the
crust at the point of the heel.
It should set well under the
wall all the way round, and the
wall be filed smoothly to it. In
addition, in some cases, the
horse will travel better to lower
the inside heel a little ; in others,

to raise it. It is in all cases Fig. 561.— Showing two Openings Caused
advisable, however, if the horse by Corns.

66

SHOEING.

Fig. 562.— Shoe as Nailed on to
be Spread.

can be made to travel without striking, to keep the adjustment
natural by paring the foot level and making the shoe of an equal
thickness all the way round, with
perhaps the inner part straightened
a little.

Sometimes colts driven to a sulky,
when a little leg-weary, may strike
badly ; in such a case the ankle must
be protected. In all cases where the
ankle is cut, the swelling and sore-
ness increase the difficulty, and
should be guarded against by cov^-
ering. If the irritation is kept up,
and this is not done, it may result
in permanent enlargement of the
part, which would afterward increase
the liability to be hit. This can be
prevented only by coverings, or by
being protected by the ordinary sim-
ple means, until the inflammation
subsides and the injury heals. Prof McLellan says on this sub-
ject :—

Treatment for interfering, to be rational, must take into account the causations.
Thus, if the toes turn out — a very common cause of interfering — they should be in-
clined in all that is possible. This can be accomplished by bending the outside web

of the shoe from its inner to its outer
border, making the edge through which the
nails are driven, quite thin. Or if calks
are used, the toe-calk can be welded
nearer the inside than the outside toe, and
the toe-calk beveled at the expense of its
outer extremity. If the knee is banged,
but light shoes are indicated. Lightness in
the shoe is always desirable ia the hind
feet, and if the season of the year permits,
tips will be found very effective in pre-
vention of interfering. The nails should
be left out of the hoof at the point where
it strikes, because the clinches are liable
to become raised or loosened, and do in-
jury.

Clicking, or Overreaching.*

Fig. 563.— As the Heels Appear after
Being Spread.

This is a term applied to the striking of
the hind shoes against the forward ones
during progression. It may be due either

■ Contributed by Prof. McLellan.

SHOEINQ.

67

Fig. 564.— Badly Confracfed Fool. The Lines B B
Show the Degree to which the Foot may
in Time be Spread.

to a faulty conformation, to weak-
ness, or to disease. In seeking to
remedy the defect, we must en-
deavor to discover its cause. If it
is due to defective form, we may
so adjust the hoofs and apply the
shoes that the feet shall be placed
upon the ground in such relation
to the body as to modify in some
measure the fault of form. In
some cases the toes of the forward
feet must be reduced all that is
possible, and the toes of the hind
feet lengthened. In others, weights
or heavy shoes ui:)on the forward
feet answer a good purpose. In
some, weights upon the outside of
the hind feet overcome the diffi-
culty.

If the hind feet are placed upon
the ground well forward when the
animal is at rest, heel-calks of
extra length will be found useful.
Weakness, as a cause of click-
ing, is shown in colts and in horses

that have diseased hind feet. In the first, the animal is not able, or has not learned,

to dwell upon the hind feet to give to the body that forward impulse that cornea

from the long push ; in the second, pain prevents the extension. In the case of the

colt, shoeing must be supjjlemented by good

driving, — the animal should be kept up to

the bit, and the head well checked up, and

should not be fatigued by overdriving. In

the case where the clicking depends upon a

diseased condition of the foot or leg, the

removal of the cause is the indication. As

general rules for the prevention of clicking,

the toe of the forward hoof should be re-
duced all that it will bear ; the shoe should

be short, both at the toe and heel ; the heels

of the shoe should be beveled at the expense

of its ground surface ; when the toe should

be beveled, giving the shoe, when applied,

the appearance of one partly worn. In many

cases concaving the ground surface of the

shoe is useful. If the toes are long and the

heels extremely low, thick-heeled shoes or

heel-calks are indicated.

The hind shoes should be light, and long

at the heels, giving the heels of the shoe as

wide a bearing as possible. In case the toe

Fig. 565. — Simple Form ef Shoe for
Spreading the Quarters.

68

CAUSES OF INJURY.

of the hind foot is much worn, and as a consequence the hoof spread at its plantar
surface, clips should be drawn up from each side of the shoe, so as to grasp the
wall at its widest part. No attempt should be made to fit the shoe to the squared
and shortened toe ; but give it the natural form, and let it project at the toe to that
extent that would indicate the length of the hoof were it unworn. Heel-calks upon
the hind shoes are applicable to nearly all cases.

In all cases of overreaching or click-
ing, adjusting the hoof and shoe so
that the inside quarter and toe of the
hoof are higher than the outside, will
assist in overcoming the difficulty.

Stumbling.

Stumbling is usually associated with
some diseased condition of the foot.
In the prevention of this disagreeable

Fig. 566. — An Outline of iWr. Roberge's Spring,
with its Position on the Foot.

Fig. 567.— Thick-
ness of Spring.
Full Size.

Fig. 568. —Width
of Bar. Full
Size.

and dangerous habit, particular attention must be given to cutting the hoof. Reduce
the hoof all it will bear without injury ; see that the hoof is of equal depth on each
side of the toe. This you can ascertain best by standing in front of the horse and
comparing the two sides. In fitting the shoe, bend up the toe, giving it the rounded
appearance of one well worn. If calks must be used, weld toe-calk back to inner
margin of web, making it low. In the stable use wet swabs to the feet.

Shoeing Foundered Horses. .

If the mobility of the foot is destroyed, as the result of chronic
founder, or other cause of morbid inflammation, mobility must be
aided by rounding the entire shoe or toe. If the foot is entirely
stiff, the shoe must be so formed that it will roll upon the ground,
which can be easily done by leaving the inner edge of each side
wide, and turning down in a half circle, as shown in Fig. 609.

If the sole is broken down, or the wall separated at the toe, the
result of acute inflammation or founder, weight will be tnrown more
upon the heels. For such cases the shoe must be so fitted as to ex-
tend well back under the heels ; and if the sole is thin at the toe —
bulging down — it may be supported by letting a thin flange of iron

SHOEING.

69

extend well back under it ; or fitting a steel plate across the part so
as to give an even support all the way round, and the adjustment
made easy by packing with
oakum, though in most

cases the sole will not bear
pressure, and is simply to
be protected by a wide
shoe. The shoeing of such
feet must be in a great
measure experimental;
consequently the ingenu-
ity of the owner or smith
must be exercised to con-
form with best advantage
to the condition of the case.
First, do nothing that will
irritate or make the foot
sore. It simply must be supported to the best advantage, and the mo-

FiG. 569.— Roberge's Best Form of Shoe lo Aid the
Mobility of the Foot in Lameness.

Fig. 570.

-Side View of the Above, Showing
the Curve.

bility aided by rounding the toe, or setting the calks well back under it.

Special Causes of Injury.*

I add references to a few
authorities, showing the
bad effect of paring the
sole and frog excessively^
rasping the outer surface
of the hoof, and the use of
thick, badly-fitting shoes.
I will call attention first
to the most prominent authority. Prof. Coleman, from whose teach-
ings all the modern works in this country have been principally
guided in their instruction.
In January, 1792, a Veterin-
ary College was started in
London. A short time after-
ward Edward Coleman was
appointed Chief Professor. I
cannot do better here than
to copy from Prof. Gamgee's
work on " Shoeing," pub-

*The illustrations in this article overrun the text, and this will explain why they are not
placed opposite the matter referring to them.

Fig. 571.— An Exact Scale of the Curve
of the Above Shoe.

Fig. 572. — Cross-section of the Same.

70

CAUSES OF INJURY

lished in London in 1874, in relation to Coleman's teaching,
says : —

He

Fig. 573. — Ordinary Form of Rolling Motion Shoe.

"In England, since Prof. Cole-
man ruthlessly destroyed the em-
pirical knowledge of the old mas-
ters, and substituted for it a system
of fantastic and often cruel no-
tions, we have been a prey to end-
less speculative theories. The
result is that with the best horses
in the world, we have a far larger
proportion of lame ones than are
to be found in any other coun-
try. * * *

"It was a kind of teaching on
the foot and on shoeinsf that did

Fig. 575.^ — Side View, Showing Degree of Curve.

the incalculable and, I fear, almost irreparable damage which has brought suffering

on horses and shortened their ex-
istence, which has spoiled farriers,
by leading them astray on false
pretexts, and has entailed dis-
FiG. 574.— Cross-section of the Same. credit on the English Veterinary

School. * * ^
" One change, among others introduced by Mr. Coleman, has entailed, I believe,
a more lasting damage on the art
farriery than any of his many oth-
er crochets, which have unfortu-
nately become thoroughly parts of
English horse-shoeing. He intro-
duced the drawing-knife, and
made it supercede the buttress for
preparing the feet for shoeing.
The buttress is the instrument still

in use for paring down the wall surface to receive the shoe everywhere except in

England and parts of the New
World, to which English hands
and language have carried our
modes of shoeing, such as it has
become only within the present
century.

" Old men can remember the
buttress's being in general use
throughout Great Britain ; but
the way it was banished from
English practice is known to few ;
and its supercedence, and these
remarks on the effects of the
change, may astonish many. The
drawing-knife, or searcher, as it
was called, a small, hooked.

Fig. 576. — Ground Surface of Above, Showing
Method of Putting on Calkins.

SHOEING.

71

Fig. 577. — Quarter-crack.

crooked little instrument, was formerly kept for the purpose of exploring wounds and
extracting foreign bodies from the foot, and was to that extent in vogue on the Con-
tinent as well as in England. But theorizing, and a fancy for a change, led the
professor to order the general use of the little hooked knife instead of such a broad,
level tool as the buttress. He had unfortunately conceived such notions as that the
sole of the foot did not bear the weight of the animal, that it was necessary to pare

it thin every time the horse was shod, and that
the broad, level buttress was not suited for
that ; hence the preference for the little scoop-
ing, crooked searcher. As these incidents
have had a disastrous effect on shoeing, which
we have scarcely in any degree begun to re-
lieve, I will quote from Mr. Coleman's work of
1798 :—

" ' Those who supposed that the weight of
the animal was chiefly supported by the horny
sole, have attributed a function to that organ
which it does not possess ; but, although the
laminae are capable of sustaining the animal,
yet, as they are elastic, and at every step elon-
gate, the horny sole is necessarily pressed down
in the same degree, and by first descending and
then ascending, as the laminae dilate and
contract, the horny sole contributes very materially to prevent concussion. This
union of the crust with the coffin-bone sustains the weight of the animal ; the crust
supports the weight even when the horny sole and frog are removed ; if the sole and
frog in reality supported the weight, then the foot would slip through the crust when
the frog and sole were taken away.

" ' The sole, frog, and bars were taken away from both the fore feet of a horse ;
the feet were then alternately lifted by
placing the hands on the loins of the
horse ; he kicked, all his weight was
then sustained by the laminae of the fore
feet, and yet this made not the smallest
degree of change in the situations of
the bones.

" ' From this experiment, therefore, it
is, that the union of the sensitive laminae
with the horny laminae is sufficiently
strong to support the whole weight of
the animal on two feet.

" ' The first thing to be attended to
is to take away the portion of the sole
with the drawing-knife ; and to avoid
pressure, the sole should be made con-
cave or hollow. If there be any one

part of the practice of shoeing more important than the rest, it is this removal of
the sole between the bars and the crust. In common practice these parts are removed
by an instrument called the buttress.

" ' The removal of a proper quantity of horny sole has been represented to be a

Fig. 578.— French Shoe.

72

SHOEING.

Fig. 579.— An Old Quarter-crack
Grown Down.

Fig. 580. — Quarter-crack.

through a

delicate operation, and in the hands of common smiths liable to do mischief. But
any smith capable of paring a hoof cannot fail to be equal to removing part of the
sole with the drawing-knife. That the practice may be faithfully executed in the
army, a farrier from each regiment of cavalry has been permitted to attend the col-
lege to learn the practical part of shoeing.'

" The foregoing passages, abounding as they do in errors, give evidence of the
manner in which some of the greatest changes in the prac-
tice of horse-shoeing have occurred since its history has
been written, and changes which have led to the worst pos-
sible results. Once, however, the notion got possession of
the minds of the men at the wheel, that the bottom of the
foot, its arched sole,
was not designed to
support the weight,
but to yield to pressure
downward ; every-
thing had to give way
to that idea. The sole
and frog were torn
away, and because,
during the barbarous
experiment, the con-
nection did not yield, and the bone 7orotrude like a finger
torn glove, negative evidence was taken in confirmation of the theory framed ;
the paring away of the horses' soles with the drawing-knife was thus estab-
lished, and the army, by sending farriers to learn the new system, became the
means of enforcing the absurd and cruel practice of thinning the sole throughout
this kingdom and the colonies.

" It is interesting to see the differently constituted mind of Mr. Moorcroft on
the natural bearing of the question in 1800. He says : —

" ' The sole ties the lower edge of the crust together, and by its upper part
forming a strong arch, it affords a firm basis to the
bone of the foot, and by its strength it defends
the sensitive parts within the hoof.'

"This is true. We fail to discover a single
passage in any work or any
traditional account to show
that any objection was raised
to the continuance of the use
of the buttress in England, any
more than over the rest of the
world, where it had been
adopted from time immemo-
rial, until, along with his other
new theories about shoe-
ing, Mr. Coleman believed it to be the wrong thing to employ, and then a
crooked knife and a coarse rasp were adopted as weapons that might do more de-
structive execution than the one dismissed."

George Fleming, in his work on " Shoes and Horse-shoeing," says : —

" This evil of paring or rasping must be looked upon as the greatest and most
destructive of all that jjertains to shoeing, or even to our management of the horse.
?5 a

Fig. 581. — Toe-crack.

Fig. 582. — Toe-crack.

SHOEING.

73

Nine tenths of the workmen who resort to this practice cannot explain its object,
and those who have written in defense of it say it is to allow the descent of the sole
and facilitate the lateral expansion of the hoof.

"Fancy our gardeners cutting and rasping the bark off our fruit-trees, to assist
them in their natural functions, and improve their appearance ; and yet the bark is
of no more vital importance to the tree than the horn of the sole wall and frog are
to the horse's foot.

Fig. 583.— Quarter-crack.

Fig. 584. — Effect of Founder.

" The sole, frog, and bars must on no account, nor under any conditions, unless those
of a pathological nature, he interfered uitJi in any way by knife or rasp. As certainly
as they are interfered with, and their substance reduced, so surely will the hoof be
injured. Nature has made every provision for the defense. They will support the
contact of hard, soft, rugged, or even sharp bodies, if allowed to escape the drawing-
knife ; while hot, cold, wet, or even dry weather has little or no influence on the in-
terior of the foot, or on the tender horn, if man does not step in to beautify the feet
by robbing them of their protection, perhaps merely to please the fancy of an ig-
norant groom or coachman.

"If we closely examine the upper surface
of the sole of a hoof that has been separated
from its contents by maceration, we will find
it perforated everywhere by myriads of mi-
nute apertures, which look as if they had been
formed by the point of a fine needle. If we
look also at the vascular parts of the foot that
have been in contact with this horny surface,
it will be observed that they have been closely
studded with exceedingly fine, yet somewhat
long, filaments, as thickly set as a pile of the
richest Genoa velvet. These are the villi, or
papillas, which enter the horny cavity, and
fitting into them like so many fingers into a
glove, constitute the secretory apparatus of
the frog as well as the sole. Each of the
filaments forms a horn tube or fibre, and pass-
es to a certain depth in a protecting canal
whose corneous wall it builds. When injected
with some colored preparation, one of them
makes a beautiful microscopical object, appearing as a long, tapering net-work oi
blood-vessels, surrounding one or two parent trunks, and communicating with each
other in a most wonderful manner. These filaments are also organs of tact, each

Fig. 585.— Shoe for Quarter-crack.

74

CAUSES OF INJURY.

containing a sensitive nerve, destined to endow the foot with the attributes of a

tactile organ.

" This distribution will enable us to realize, to some extent, the amount of in-
jury done by paring. The horn thrown out for their defense and support being re-
moved by the farrier's knife, and perhaps the ends of these villi cut through, the
meager pellicle remaining rapidly shrivels up, the containing cavity of each vas-
cular tuft as quickly contracts on the
vessels and nerves, which, in their turn,
diminish in volume, disappear, or be-
come morbidly sensitive, through this
squeezing influence. The feet of a horse
so treated are always hot, the soles are
dry and stony, and become unnaturally
concave. The animal goes tender after
each shoeing, and it is not until the horn
has been regenerated to a certain ex-
tent, that he steps with anything like ease.
Until the new material has been formed,
each papilli experiences the same amount
of inconvenience and suffering that a hu-
man foot does in a new, tight boot.

" This tenderness is usually ascribed to
the nails and other causes ; and the horse,
in the stable, rests on one foot, then on
the other, as if he suffered uneasiness
* * *

Fig. 586. — Gifford's Fool as it Appeared
Before Treatment.

or pam.

" All the preparation any kind of foot usually requires for the shoe may be
summed up in a few words ; leveling the crust in conformity with the limb and foot,
and removing as much of its margin as will restore it to its natural length, rounding
its outer edge at the same time, and leaving the sole, bars, frog, and heels in all their
naturalintegrity."

Osmer, an old writer of good standing, in 1751 said : —

" I believe there are many horses that might travel
their whole lifetime unshod on any road, if they
were rasped round and short on the toe ; because
all feet exposed to hard objects become thereby more
obdurate, if the sole be never pared : and some,
by their particular form, depth, and strength, are
able to resist them quite, and to support the weight
without breaking ; and here a very little reflection
will teach ^us whence the custom arose of shoeing
horses in one part of the world and not in another.
In Asia there is no such custom of shoeing the horse
at all, because the feet acquire a very obdurate and
firm texture from the dryness of the climate and
the soil, and do really want no defense. But every
rider has a rasp to shorten his horse's feet, which
would otherwise grow long and rude, and the crust

Fig. 587.— Shoe Fitted for Cur-
ing Corns. From Coleman.

of the hoof would most certainly split.

SHOEING.

75

He continues by saying, —

"From the good that was found to arise from putting shoes on horses which
have naturally weak feet from being brought up on wet land, the custom of putting
shoes on all kinds of feet became general in some countries. Our ancestors, the

original shoers, proposed nothing
more, I dare say, in their first ef-
forts, than to preserve the crust
from breaking way, and thought
themselves happy that they had
skill enough so to do. The mod-
erns also are wisely content with
this in the racing way.

" In process of time the fertility
of invention and the vanity of man-
kind have produced a variety of
methods ; almost all of which are
productive of lameness ; and I am
thoroughly convinced from obser-
vation and experience, that nine-
teen lame horses out of every twenty
are lame of the artist, which is ow-
ing to the form of the shoe, his ig-
norance of the design of nature,
and maltreatment of the foot, every

Fig. 588. — Posilion of the Spreaders for
Opening the Quarter.

part of which is made for some purpose or other, though he does not know it.

"I suppose it will be universally assented to, that whatever method of shoeing
approaches nearest to the law of na-
ture, such is likely to be the most perfect
method.* * *

"The superfices of the foot around
the outside, now made plane and smooth,
the shoe is to be made quite flat, of an
equal thickness all around the outside,
and open and most narrow backward at
the extremities of the heels ; for the gen-
erality of horses, those whose frogs are
diseased, either from natural or inciden-
tal causes, require the shoe to be wider
backwards ; and to prevent this flat shoe
from pressing on the sole of the horse,
the outer part thereof is to be made
thickest, and the inside gradually thin-
ner. In such a shoe the frog is permit-
ted to touch the ground, the necessity
of which has already been seen. Added Fig. 589.— The Shoe as if Appeared when on.
to this, the horse stands more firmly W'"i *he Quarters Opened Out.

upon the ground, having the same points of sujiport as in a natural state.

"Make the shoes as light as you can according to the size of your horse, because
heavy shoes spoil the back sinews and weary the horse ; and if he happen to over-
reach, the shoes, being heavy, are all the more rapidly pulled off.

76

CAUSES OF INJURY.

"Those who think it frugality to shoe with tliick and heavy shoes, and seldom,
are deceived, for they lose more by it than they gain ; for thereby they not only spoil
the back sinews, but lose more by it than if they had been light."

It is conceded by all the best modern authorities that the
French author above referred to, whose work was published in 1750,
was the great father of a correct
system of reform in shoeing. It
was supposed in his day, as it is
in a great measure now, that a

Fig. 592.— Flat, Convex Sole.

Fig. 590, 591. — Sand-crack, or Fissure in Front cf Hoof.

A deep substance of horn is found beneath the fissure at the lower part of the hoof,
where a corresponding cavity is formed by absorption in the coffin-bone.

horse could not travel without having heavy, unwieldy shoes on,
and that the greatest skill
was exhibited in the amount
of cutting and rasping done
on this feet.

He boldly proclaimed that
all this was injurious, and
tried to prove it by the most
convincing arguments. The
principles of treatment,
though given a hundred and thirty years ago, are just as important
now as they were then. He
says : —

"In the state of nature, all the
inferior parts of the foot concur to
sustain the weight of the body ;
then we observe that the heels and
frog, the parts said to be most ex-
posed, are never damaged by wear,
that the wall or crust is alone worn
on going on hard ground, and that
it is only this part which must be
protected, leaving the other parts

free and unfettered in their natural ^ig. 593.— Flat, Weak Sole,

movements."

SHOEING.

77

Fig. 594. — Fool Referred to in Text as it Appeared.

In advising tips or thin-heeled shoes, he says : —

' ' Thin tips extending back to the middle of the quarters, allow the heels to
bear upon the ground, and the weight to be sustained behind and before, but partic-
ularly in the latter, because the weight of the body falls heaviest there.

" The shorter the shoe is,
the less the horse slips, and
the frog has the same influ-
ence in preventing this that
an old hat placed under our
own shoes would have in
protecting us from slipping
on the ice. * * *

"It is necessary, neverthe-
less, that hoofs which have
weak walls should be a little
longer shod, so that the grad-
ually thinning branches
reach to the heels, though
not resting upon them. For
horses which have convex
soles, these long shoes
should also be used, and the
toes should be more covered
to prevent the sole touch-
This is the only true method of preserving the foot and restoring
it. A horse which has its feet weak and sensitive, ought to be shod as short as pos-
sible, and with thin branches, so that the frog comes in contact with the ground \
because the heels, having nothing between them, are benefited and relieved. (See
Fig. 479.)

" Crescent shoes are all the more
needful for a horse which has weak,
incurvated quarters, as they not
only relieve them, but also restore
them to their natural condition.
Horses which have contusion at the
heels (blains, corns), should also be
shod in this way ; and for cracks
(seime, sand-cracks) at the quarter,
it is also advantageous.

"The sole or frog should never
be pared ; the wall alone should be
cut down, if it is too long. When
a horse cuts himself with the op-
posite foot, the inner branch of
the shoe ought to be shorter and
thinner than the outer.

"Rasping the foot destroys the
strength of the hoof, and consequently causes its horn to become dry, and the
horny laminae beneath to grow weak ; from this often arises an internal inflam-
mation, which renders the foot painful, and makes the horse go lame. * * *

ing the ground.

Fig. 595.

—The Shoe as it may be Fitted to
Support Weak Heels.

78

CAUSES OF INJURY.

Fig. 596.— Points Showing where the
Horn is Strongest to Drive
the Nails In.

"When a horse loses a shoe, a circumstance often occurring, if the hoof is
pared, the animal cannot walk a hundred steps without going lame ; because in this
state the lower surface of the foot being hollowed, the horse's weight falls upon the
crust, and this, having no support from the horny sole, is quickly broken and worn
away ; and if he meets hard substances on the road, he all the more speedily be-
comes lame. It is not so when the sole is al-
lowed to retain its whole strength. The shoe
comes off, but the sole and frog resting on the
ground, assist the crust in bearing the whole
weight of the body, and the animal, though
unshod, is able to pursue his journey safe

and sound It is necessary to be

convinced of another fact ; that is, it is rare
that a horse goes at his ease and is not
promptly fatigued, if the frog does not touch
the ground. As it is the only point of sup-
port, if you raise it from the ground by paring
it, there arises an inordinate extension of
the tendon, caused by the pushing of the cor-
onary against the navicular bone, as has been
mentioned above, and which, being repeated
at every step the animal takes, fatigues it and
induces inflammation. From thence often
arises distentions of the sheaths of tendons
(moletts-vulgo, ' windgalls ') engorgements,
and swelling of tendons, etc., that are observed after long or rapid journeys. These
accidents arise less from the length of the journey, as has been currently believed,

than from the false practice of
paring the sole. . . . We al-
ways find ourselves more active
and nimble when we wear easy
shoes ; but a wide, long, and
thick shoe will do for horses
what clogs do for us, — render
them heavy, clumsy, and un-
steady. * * *

" The feet become convex by
hollowing the shoes to relieve the
heel and frog, because the more
the shoes are arched from the
sole, the more the wall of the
hoof is squeezed and rolled in-
ward, particularly toward the in-
ner quarter, which is the weakest ;
the sole of the foot becomes con-
vex, and the horse is nearly al-
ways unfit for service. * * *

" The reason why it is dangerous to pare the feet of horses is, that when the
sole is pared, and the horses tands in a dry place, the horn becomes desiccated by the
air which enters it, and removes its moisture and its suppleness, and of ten causes the
animal to be lame. * «• *

Fig. 597.

-The Same as would Appear with the
Shoe On.

SHOEIN-Q.

79

" It is the pared foot that is more affected with what is termed contracted or
weak inside quarter, and which also lames the horse.

" It also happens that one or both quarters contract, and sometimes even the
whole hoof, when, in consequence of its smallness, all the internal parts are confined

in their movements ; this is due to paring,
and lames the horse.

Fig. 598.— Original Shoe Fitted with
Plate On.

Fig. 599. — Form of Bar Shoe which
would be a Good Support for
Weak Heels.

" There also occurs another accident : when the quarter becomes contracted, the
hoof splits in its lateral aspects, and the horse is lame. This accident is termed a
sand-crack (seime)." — Lafosse.

Though not generally known, this system of shoeing has long
been in use in India. Freeman, in his work published in 1796, who

Fig. 600.— Same as 598 with Plate
Removed.

Fig. 601.— Heel of Shoe 598 with Pad
of Oakum Attached.

is yet considered good authority, strongly advocated this system of
shoeing. He gives the following statement, which explains itself: —

" The instance in which I was disappointed was that of a horse kept entirely for
a riding-horse, and which was consequently almost daily under my own inspection.

80

CAUSES OF INJURY.

This horse had very strong feet, one of which was smaller than the other, with the
toe turning out and the frog almost wasted. The bars of the foot, before he was
turned out, were scarcely visible, but upon examining them after he had been out

Fig. 602. — Bearing-surface of Shoe to
Prevent Striking.

Fig. 603. — Forward Shoe to Prevent
Striking.

about three months, they were found to have increased surprisingly. Notwithstanding
this, they were not strong enough to counteract the pressure of the quarters ; and
the foot itself seemed to be rather decreased, which is contrary to what is usual ; for
after having been turned out for a certain time, they generally become larger. So
particular a case led me to turn my mind to a
particular method of cure. This I should hardly
have found out, if chance had not at that time
put into my hands Lieutenant Moor's "Narrative
of Captain Little's Detachment." On page 93 of
this book is the following passage : —

"'The bigotry with which all sects of the
Hindoos adhere to their own customs is very
well known ; still when these customs are strik-
ingly injudicious, and totally abstracted from
all religious prejudices, perseverance degenerates
into obstinacy, and simplicity into ignorance.
So it is with the Mahrattas in abiding by their
present practice of cutting the hoof and shoeing
horses; they cutaway the hinder part of the hoof
in such a manner that the pastern almost touches
the ground, and the frog is suffered to grow so
that the hoof is nearly a circle, in which form
the shoes are made, the hinder parts almost
touching, and so thin that a person of ordinary
strength can easily twist them. Instead of making the back part of the shoe thick-
est, they hammer it quite thin, making the fore part thickest, and the shoe, grad-
ually becoming thinner, ends in an edge.'

Fig. 604. — Shoe to Prevent Inter-
fering or Clicking.

SHOEING.

81

"Tlii8 mode of shoeing in a country where, from the nature of the climate, the
horse's feet probably are very strong, did not strike me to be quite so injudicious as
the author above mentioned represents it. I determined, therefore, to try on this
particular horse a shoe in some respects similar to those described, that I might see
whether it would alter the shape of his foot ; since it is said to make ' the frog grow so

Fig, 605. — F,orm of Shoe Adapted for Pro-
tection of the Foot and Aiding Mo-
bility— From the French.

Fig. G06.
Ground View of Same.

that the hoof is nearly a circle,' which was the very effect that in this case I wished
to produce. I therefore ordered my sraith to make a shoe at my own forge in the
form I ganerally use (which will be hereafter described), with the following excep-
tions : The web of it was to almost cover the sole, room being given to admit a
picker ; and as it proceeded to the heels, the web on each side was to be continued
as far as the cleft which separates the bars from the frog. He was to make the fore
part the 'thickest,' and to hammer it so thin at the heels that it would ' end in an
edge,' by which a person of ordinary strength could easily twist it.

' i own I apprehended that this shoe, from
being so thin at the heels, would bend in dif-
ferent places, and thereby injure the foot. But
as it was constantly u<ider my own eye, I knew
that if that circumstance should happen, the in-
jury could not be material in the short time it

Fig. 607.— Form of Shoe Adapted to Hind Foot
to Aid Mobility. Used by the French.

Fig. 608.
Shoe Raised from the Heel.

would be permitted to go unnoticed. But this did not prove to be the case. After
the horse had worn this shoe a day or two only, I found the action of the leg was
more free than it had ever been before ; for the bars with their covering touched
the ground ; the extremities of the web on each side, by being so veiy thin, having

82

CAUSES OF IN-JURY.

bent a little over them, but they were prevented from injuring them by being ex-
tended to the cleft which separated the bars from the frog. This pressure of the
web on the bars was an assistance to them in the expan-
sion of the quarters ; and the shoe was kept so wide at
the heels that the exterior parts of it could not hurt him.
This shoe, therefore, acted exactly contrary to other
shoes, which, as I before men-
tioned, are generally an im-
pediment to the expansion of
the heels, whereas this be-
came an assistance to it.

" In three weeks I took off
this shoe to examine the state
of the foot. His frog was
found to be increased, and in
a better condition than I had
before seen it. The same shoe
was therefore replaced for three weeks more, at the end of which time his foot had
become considerably larger and straighter. In a week or ten days more the horse
was to go thirty-six miles on a turnpike road.

"Although this kind of shoe had succeeded so well in a riding-horse, I had some

doubts about venturing it on the road. However,
I at last determined to risk it, and had another shoe
put on of exactly the same pattern, in which he per-
formed his journey without any injury, so that I
have ever since continued to adopt it, having found
it to answer beyond any expectation I had formed
of it ; for that foot which was before smaller than
the other, with the toe turning out, has, by the use
of this shoe, become of the same size, and so straight that there is now scarcely any
difference between the two feet."

Figs. 609, 610.— Shoes Adapted for Stiff Joints.

Fig. 611. — French Shoe for
Aiding Mobility.

Fig. 612.

African Shoes.

Fig. 613.

Representative Model Shoes of Different Kinds. From the French. [83]

[84] Represenlalive Model Shoes of Different Kinds. From the French.

SHOEING.

85

We give here a few specimens of shoes from Caesar Fiaschi's
work, published in. England in the 16th century. The figures of
shoes he gives are twenty in number. No. 1. Fore-shoe without
calkin ; 2. Shoe with the calkin ; a 7 Aragoiiaise on one side, and
the other side thickened; 3. Lunette shoe, or "tip"; 4. Three-
quarter shoe ; 5. Beveled shoe, with the Aragonaise calkin on one

Figs. 662—681.

branch, and the other thick at the heel ; 6. Shoe with sciettes, or
projecting toothed border, thickened toward each heel to prevent
slipping ; T. Thick-sided shoe, thin toward the inner border, and
seated like the English shoe ; 8. Shoe with buttons, or raised catches
on the inner branch, and thickened on the heel of the same side ;
9. A shoe which has the inside heel and quarter much thicker and

86

SHOEING.

narrower than usual ; 10. A shoe with crests or points toward the
ground surface on the toe and quarter, and barbettes at the heels ;

11. A shoe with the calkins doubled over, and provided with rings ;

12. The foot surface of a shoe with the heels turning up toward the
foot ; 13. Shoe with two calkins ; 14. A bar shoe ; 15. A jointed
shoe to suit any size of foot ; 16. A jointed shoe without nails, and
secured by the lateral border and the heel-screw ; lY. A hind shoe
with calkins ; 18. A shoe with one of the branches greatly thickened
at the heel ; 19. A hind shoe with a crest or toe-piece ; 20. A hind
shoe with the toe elongated and curled upward, probably for a foot
the back tendons of which were contracted, causing the horse to
walk on the point of the toe.

Below, in Figs. 682-685, are given a variety of old Roman
shoes found in England, France, and Switzerland, and supposed to
be from nineteen hundred to over two thousand years old.

Fig 682.

Fig. 683.

Fig. 684.

Fig. 685.

SHOEING.

87

Tig. 686. — Forged Steel Shoe, Specimen from a
Variety Manufactured by the Bryden Forged
Horse Shoe Works, Catasaqua, Pa.*

Fig. 687.— Syrian Shoe.

Fig. 688. — Lafosse's Half-moon
Shoe, and Tip of Steel.

Fig. 689.— Arabian Shoe.

Fig. 690.— Syrian Shoe.

* This, with other cuts of model shoes manufactured by this company, were by
special request forwarded to me for insertion among models of good working shoes,
but were received too late to be put in proper place. The patentee, Mr. Bryden, is
known to me personally as a man of rare skill as a student of the foot. I am in-
debted to him for many valuable points on the treatment of the foot, and the shoea
manufactured under his supervision are so good in all respects that I would strongly
urge upon shoers and others interested to give them a trial.

Fig. I.

The shoe properly formed, adjusted, and nailed on the hoof of a five-year-
old horse that had never been shod but once.

Fig. II.

The foot as it is ruined by bad treatment. The shoe and nails are too
large; the nails too many in number and driven too deep. The shoe is set back
too far. The hoof is rasped away so much as to weaken it and destroy its sym-
meir^'.

PLJLTl I.

v^*»

LJiTl II.

PLJLTl IL*

A front view of the bones of the fore feet of a horse
in their relative position.

A. The pastern bone.

B. The coronary bone.

C. The navicular bone.

D. The foot bone.

E. The point of insertion of the tendon of the extensor muscle.

F. A concavity to give attachment to the ligament vphich unites the
foot bone to the coronary bone at G.

G. Coronary bone.

H. A continuation of the same concavity, to which the cartilage of

the foot bone is attached.
I, I. The upper and lower processes of the foot bone.

K, K. A groove in the foot bone, which receives a division of the
main artery, coming round from behind.

K, L. A groove receiving another division of that artery, which pro-
ceeds round the extreme edges of the foot bone.

* The plates here given are selected from the author's special book on the horse,
"Facts for Horse Owners," in which are forty plates. In the extra edition these plates
are printed in colors.

■ I'

/ I ^

' / '

til ■

FLJ.T1 III.

PLATE m.

Fig. I.

A back view of the bones of the fore foot in their relative
situation.

A. Pastern bone.

B. Coronary bone.

C. Navicular bone.

D. Foot bone.

E. A cavity which in the natural state is filled with fat.

F. The upper surface of the navicular bone, from which two ligaments
arise, and pass round the lateral depression in the coronary bone,
marked G.

G. Points of attachment on each side of the ligament which unites the
navicular bone to the foot bone.

I. Two grooves in which two main trunks of the arteries are continued

into the foot bone.
K. The line of insertion of the tendon of the flexor muscle.

Fig. II.

A view of the anterior and inferior surfaces of the navicu-
lar bone detached from the other bones.

Fig.IV.

PLJLTl I¥.

PLJiTE I¥

This cut represents the third phalanx seen from its pos-
terior part ; and the navicular bone, — inferior, superior, and
anterior views.

Fig, I.

Posterior Part of the Third Phalanx (ADULT).

A. Semi-lunar crest.

D. Basilar process.

F. Superior border.

G. Spreading out of the articular face.

K. Anterior view of the pyramidal eminence.

M. Posterior view of the inferior face.

N. Glenoid cavity of the superior face.

Q. Portion of the articular surface corresponding to the anterior bor-
der of the navicular bone.

R. Retrossal process.

S. Edge of the plantar fissure.

V. Posterior border of the third phalanx.

X. Plantar orifice for passage of blood vessels.

Fig. II.

Posterior Part of the Third Phalanx (COLT).

A. Semi-lunar crest.

D. Basilar process.

F. Superior border.

M. Posterior view of the bone.

R. Retrossal process.

S. Plantar fissure.

Fig. III.

Inferior Face of Navicular^

C. Transverse ridge.

E. Anterior border.

H. Extremity of the bone.

Fig. IV.

A. Median ridge or bulge of the superior face,

D. Anterior superior border.

E. Anterior inferior border.

G. Posterior border (is very thick, and cribbled or pierced with vas-

cular orifices).

Fig V.

Anterior Face of Navicular.

E. Soft part hollowed under the anterior articular facet.
H. Articular facet corresponding to the posterior facet of the third
phalanx.

lig-lll.

PLATE ¥.

PLJkTE ¥

This plate represents the third phalanx of the colt, seen
from its lateral, anterior, and inferior faces.

Fig. I.

Iiateral Face.

A. Base of the pyramidal eminence.

B. Vascular porosities.

C. Patilobe eminence.
E. Pre-plantar fissure.

D. Basilar process.

K. Pyramidal eminence.
R. Retrossal process.

Fig. II.

Anterior Face.

A. Pyramidal eminence.

B. Poroeities and vascular imprints

C. Patilobe eminence.

D. Basilar process.

E. Pre-plantar fissure.

F. Superior border.

Fig. III.

Inferior Face.

A. Semi-lunar crest.

H. Plantar fissure.

J. Imprint of the insertion of the perforans.

P. Inferior face.

S. Edge of the plantar fissure.

\'t

\i :\\\ '

FL1.T1 ¥1.

FLAT! ¥1

This figure represents the posterior face of the digital
region, flexed backward in a manner to show in its full ex-
tent the inferior or plantar face of the foot.

The skin has been lifted from above the third phalanx,
and the enveloping sheaths of the tendons are dissected. The
velvety tissue is preserved.

A. Median part of the pyramidal body (fleshy frog) of plantar

cushion, or sensitive tissue of the sole.

B. Branches of the pyramidal body.

C. Cartilaginous bulb.

E. Angle of inflection of the branches of the pyramidal body.

F. Point or apex of the fleshy frog.

J. Interval of separation of the two branches of the perforatus.

L. Lateral lacunae of the jjyramidal body.

M. Median lacunae of the pyramidal body.

Q, Q. Fibrous sheath of union of the two branches of the perforatus

R. Branches of theperforatus directing th emselves towardtheir point
of insertion at the second phalanx.

T. Tendon of the perforatus.

T'. Tendon of the perforans at its passage between the branches of
the perforatus.

V. Strengthening sheath of the plantar aponeurosis.

X. Lateral bands of the strengthening sheath of the plantar aponeu-
rosis, which cross the direction of the branches of the perfo-
ratus to go and attach themselves on the lateral parts of the
first phalanx.

FLAT! ¥11.

PLJLTl ¥11

This plate shows a longitudinal section of the digital re-
gion in its median plane.

Its object is to show the spongeous substance in the in-
terior of the bone, the fibrous intersections in the plantar
cushion of the articular and tendinous synovial sheaths, and
of the plantar cushion (or pad) in the interior of the hoof
under the third phalanx and the navicular bone.

A. Inferior part of the pad (cushion).

B. Ligamentous bands (filaments) representing the structure of the

fibrous body forming the plantar pad.

C. Enveloping fibrous membrane of the plantar pad.

D. Point of insertion of the plantar pad to the inferior face of the

bone of the foot.

E. Spongeous substance of the interior of the second phalanx.

F. Articulation of the first phalanx with the second.

H. Branches of the perf oratus at its insertion to the lateral 'parts of

the second phalanx, or small pastern bone.
I. Insertion of the plantar aponeurosis to the semi-lunar crest.

K. Interior of the first phalanx.

L. Section of the perforatus tendon.

M. Transverse ligament of the yellow fibrous tissue uniting the an-
terior face of the perforans to the posterior face of the os
coronae, etc. (2d phalanx).

N. Diverticulum of the sheath of the articulation of the foot between
the little sesamoid and the third phalanx.

O. Little sesamoidal sheath.

P. Capsule of the articulation of the foot set superiorly against the

cul du sac of the great sesamoidal sheath.
T. Perforans tendon.

Y. Metacarpo-phalangial articulation, or fetlock joint.

FL^TE ¥111

FLJLTE ¥IH.

This plate represents a transverse section of the poste-
rior part of the foot behind the phlanges, between the two
fibro-cartilages.

It shows the disposition of the bulbs of the plantar pad,
or cushion, the stratified layers of the pyramidal body, the
hight of the cartilages of the hoof, and the direction of the
bars.

B. Bulb of the plantar pad (or cushion).

C. Internal face of the fibro-cartilages, or lateral cartilages.

C. Hight of the hoof.

D. Part of the lateral band of the reinforcing sheath of the perforans.

E. Point of junction of the inferior border of the cartilages with

the substance of the plantar pad, or cushion.

F. Longitudinal depression of the anterior face of the plantar pad.

G. Stratified layers of the plantar pad in the pyramidal body.
Z. Superior surface of the bars.

Y. Thickness and direction of the bars.

FL^Tl IX.

FL1.T1 IX.

Arterial Vessels.

The figure shows the superficial disposition of the dig-
ital artery on the lateral face of the phalanges.

A. A', A". Digital artery from its emerging point abo\e the great ses-

amoids to the point where it disappears under the plate of
cartilages in N.

B. Anterior transverse branch at the metacarpo-phalangial articula-

tion.

C. Perpendicular artery.

D. Ascending branch of the perpendicular artery.

E. Descending branch of the perpendicular artery.

F. Transverse branch forming with the corresponding one the su-

perficial coronary circle.
f. Descending ramuscules in the pad of the superficial coronary circle,
f. Ascending ramuscules of the podophyllous tissue, or sensitive

laminiB.

G. Posterior transverse branches of the metacarpo-phalangial articu-

lation.

K. Artery of the planter pad, or cushion.

P. Circumflex artery.

U, U. Ascending terminal divisions of the digital artery ; they emerge
from the porosities of the third phalanx, and send ramifica-
tions to the podophyllous tissue.

FLUTE X,

PLATE X

Arterial Vessels.

The figure represents the superficial disposition of the
digital artery at the superior face of the first two phalanges
and at the inferior face of the third.

A, A'. Digital artery in its passage along the phalanges.

G. Posterior transverse branches of the metacarpo-phalangial artic-
ulation.

H. Branches above one another at intervals.

K. Artery of the plantar j^ad, or cushion.

L. Internal branch of the artery of the plantar pad.

P, P, P. Circumflex artery.

Y, Y. Solar arteries, or arteries of plantar surface.

PLATE XI,

Arterial Vessels.

The figure shows the deep disposition of the digital ar-
tery at the posterior face of the first two phalanges, and in the
interior of the third seen from its inferior face.

A, A'. Digital artery.

C. Perpendicular artery at its point of origin.

H. One of the branches running posteriorly, destined to the per-

forans tendon, in which it ramifies itself.
J. Deep-seated branch.

K. Point of origin of the artery of the plantar pad.
M. Deep transverse branch, completing behind the front superficial

coronary circle.

S. Plantar artery or posterior terminal branch, in the plantar fissure,
and in the semi-lunar sinus, where it forms with its analogue the
semi-lunar anastomosis.

V, V. Radiated divisions of the digital artery emanating from the con-
vexity of the semi-lunar anastomosis, and following the direction
of the descending canals of the third phalanx to go and con-
tribute to the formation of the circumflex artery at the exterior
circumference of the notched border of the bone.

I

PLATE XII

PLATE XO

This figure represents the principle nerves of the digital
region.

The plantar nerve occupies the same situation, but the
divisions which emanate from it are more numerous and more
anastomotic.

P. Plantar nerve.

A. Point of emergence of the plantar nerve above the sesamoids.

B, B. Cartilaginous branch.

C, C. Cutaneous branch.

D. Digital artery.
F\ Bulbous branch.

G. Transverse branch behind the metacarpo-phalangial articulation.

I. Nerve of the plantar pad.

L. Lateral baud, or filamentous stay, of the proper tunic of the
plantar pad. It crosses obliquely from backward forward, and
from upward downward, the direction of the plantar nerve.

V. Digital vein.

FLJiTE XIII.

PLATE XIII.

This figure represents on the digital region, seen from
three-fourths behind, the disposition of the plantar nerve on
the posterior face of the phalanges of the terminal divisions
in the interior of the bone of the foot.

P. Plantar nerve.

A. Point of emergence of the plantar nerve above the sesamoids.

B. Cartilaginous branch.

C. Cutaneous branch.

D. Digital artery.

H. Occasional divison destined to the cartilaginous bulbs.
I, I. Branch of the plantar pad.
K. Transverse coronary branch.
M. Podophyllous division.
O. Pre-plantar nerve.

Q. Descending branch in the patilobe fissure.

R. Arterial ramuscules accompanying the digital artery in the plan-
tar fissure.

"V. Vein foUovping sometimes behind the plantar nerve in all its
phalangial course. This vessel does not always exist.

PLJiTl XI¥,

PLATE XI¥,

The object of this figure is to show the disposition of
the capillary vessels in the tegument of the digital region seen
sidewise.

A. A. Arterial vessels of the skin.

B. B\ Arterial vessels of the coronary band, or cushion.

R. Villosities of the coronary cushion. This vessel does not always
exist.

This figure represents the principal perioplic bourrelet,
the coronary groove and the podophyllous tissue or sensitive
laminae.

A, B. Principal coronse (or cutidura) with the villosities covering it.

C. Superior border of the coronary cushion.

D. Perioplic coronary groove.

B. Perioplic (pad) covered withJittle horny substance.

F. Inferior border of the cushion.

G. Podophyllous tissue, or sensitive laminjB.

H. Villosities of the inferior extremity of the podophyllous laminae.

E. Arterial vessels.

K. Small arterial branches.

PLATE X¥

This figure represents the superior face of the floor
of the hoof, formed by the sole and the frog. The wall has
been cut at the level of the sole, in order to show the ter-
mination of the horny leaves in the edge, or border of the
sole

A. Circular digital cavity at the point of reunion of the sole and the

wall.

B. Superior border of the frog.

C. Termination of the horny leaves in the edge of the sole.

D. Cavity formed by the superior face of the frog.

E. Ridge of the frog, or frog stay.

F. Groove of the superior face of the frog.

G. External face of the glomes of the frog.

N. Keraphyllous tissue at the internal face of the bars.

O. Cutigeral cavity at the level of the angles of inflection.

X. Bottom of the angle of inflection.

y. Point of termination of the bars at the lateral parts of the frog.

PLJITI X¥I

View of the hoof from its inferior face.

P. The wall.

S. The sole.

L. The frog.

A. Line indicating the commissure of the sole and the wall, known

as the linea alba, or white line.

B. Angle of inflection of wall of the heels (buttress).

C. Superior border of buttress.

D. Region of the heels of the foot within the angle known as seat

of corn.

E. Inferior border of the bars.

F. External face of the bars lining the lateral lacunae of the frog.

G. Glomes of the frog, or bulbs of the heels.

H. Terminal extremity of the bars at the sides of the frog

I. Point of the frog.

K. Branches of the frog.

M. Regions of the mamellas of the hoof.

P. Region of the toe of the hoof.
Q. Median lacuna of the frog.

U. Region of the quarters.

HOW TO TELIx THE AGE.

IT is sometimes very important to be able to determine the age of
a horse ; and as this is indicated most surely by the teeth, I have
had made, under my special supervision, a large proportion of
the illustrations here given, which will be found the fullest and most

Fig. 373.— The Teeth.

complete published in this country. I encountered very serious dif-
ficulties in obtaining these illustrations, as I found it next to impos-
sible to give the artist an idea of the changes occurring in the teeth
and form of the jaw with age, but they are as accurate as I could se-
cure. I have tried also to make

the description so simple as to

enable any ordinary person to

determine the age of horses

with considerable accuracy, or

so nearly as to prevent being

seriously imposed upon. In

doing this, I have not hesitated

to appropriate the language o

others when adapted to my

purpose.

At first the jaw is small, and
to accommodate the position, temporary, or what is termed milk
teeth, are grown ; these are succeeded by permanent teeth, as the
jaws become larger and stronger. As the front teeth, or nippers,
only are usually studied to note the changes which determine the

(121)

Fig. 373.— One
Week Old.

Fig. 374.— Six Weeks.

122

HOW TO TELL THE AGE.

age of a horse up to eight years, I will try to give such an explana-
tion of them as will serve to aid the general reader in catching the

points of these changes most clearly.

When the colt is one week old, the two
central nippers are grown about as represented
in Fig. 373. In from five to six weeks, another

incisor will appear on either side of the two

first, and the mouth will appear something like

Fig. 374. At two months' they will have

reached their natural level, and between the

„ «..«,. second and third months the second pair will

Fig. 375.— One Year Old. , , , _, .,, i , •

have overtaken them, i hey will then begm

to wear away a little, and the outer edge, which was at first
somewhat raised and sharp, is brought to a level with the inner one ;
and so the mouth continues until some
time between the sixth and ninth months,
when another nipper begins to appear on
each side of the two first, making six
above and below, and completing the
colt's mouth ; after which the only ob-
servable difference, until between the sec-
ond and third years, is in the wear of
these teeth.

The teeth are covered with a polished,
hard substance, called enamel. It spreads
over that portion of the teeth which ap-
pears above the gum ; and not only so, but as they are to be so
much employed in nipping the grass, and gathering up the animal's

food (and in such employment even this
hard substance must be gradually worn
away), a portion of it, as it passes over
the upper surface of the teeth, is bent in-
ward and sunk into the body of the teeth,
and forms a little pit in them. The inside
and bottom of this pit being blackened by
the food, constitutes the mark of the teeth,
by the gradual disappearan^ce of which, in
consequence of the wearing down of the
edges, we are enabled for several years to
determine the age of the horse.

The colt's nipping-teeth are rounded in front, somewhat hollow
toward the mouth, and present at first a cutting surface, with the

Fig. 376.— Twenty Months.

-Two Years.

HOW TO TELL THE AGE.

123

Fig. 378.— From Two and One Half
to Three Years.

outer edge rising in a slanting direction above the inner edge. This,
however, soon begins to wear down, until both surfaces are level,
and the mark, which was originally long and narrow, becomes

shorter, and wider, and fainter. At
six months the four nippers are
beginning to wear to a level. Fig.
375 will convey a good idea of the
appearance of the teeth at twelve
months. The four middle teeth
are almost level, and the corner
ones becoming so. The mark in
the two middle teeth is wide and
faint ; in the two next teeth it is
darker, and longer, and narrower ;
and in the corner teeth it is dark-
est, and longest, and narrowest. At the age of one year and a half,
the mark in the central nippers will be much shorter and fainter ;
that in the other two pairs will have undergone considerable change,
and all the nippers will be flat. At two years this will be more
plainly marked. Fig. 377 is intended to show the appearance of
the mouth at this stage.

Fig. 378 is intended to show the appearance of the mouth at
two and a half to three years old.
The next is intended to show it at
three and a half years old. The two
central permanent teeth are growing
down, and are larger than the others,
with two grooves in the outer con-
vex surface, and the mark is long,
narrow, deep, and black. Not hav-
ing yet attained their full growth,
they are lower than the others. The
mark in the two next nippers is
nearly worn out, and is wearing away
in the corner nippers.

Between three and a half and four
years the central nippers have at-
tained to nearly their full growth, and the second pair will have
so far displaced the temporary teeth as to appear through the gums,
while the corner ones will be diminished in breadth, worn down, and
the mark become small and faint.

At four years the central nippers will be fully developed ; the

Fig. 379.— About Three and One
Half Years.

124

HOW TO TELL THE AGE.

sharp edge somewhat worn off, and the mark shorter, wider, and
fainter. The next pair will be up, but they will be small, with the
mark deep, and extending quite across them.

Fig. 380. — At Four to Four and One
Half Years.

Fig. 381.— At Four Years.

At four years and a half, or between that and
five, the corner nippers are shed, and the perma-
nent ones begin to appear, something like Fig. 380
The central nippers are considerably worn, and
the next pair are commencing to show the marks
of usage. The tush has now protruded, and is
fully a half inch in hight ; externally it has a
rounded prominence, with a groove or hollow in
the inside.

At five years the horse's mouth is almost per-
fect. The corner nippers are quite up, with a
long, deep, irregular mark on the inside, and the
other nippers are showing the effects of increased
wear. The tush is much grown, the grooves on
the inside have almost or quite disappeared, and
the outer surface is regularly convex. It is still as concave within,
and the edge nearly as sharp as it was six months before.

At six years the mark on the central nippers is worn out.
In the next pair the mark is shorter, broader, and fainter ; and in
the corner teeth the edges of the enamel are more regular, and the
surface is evidently worn. The tush has attained its full growth,
being nearly or quite an inch in length ; convex outward, concave
within ; tending to a point, and the extremity somewhat curved.
The horse may now be said to have a perfect mouth, as all the teeth
are produced and fully grown

Wk

'TO

"^g^BaHi

1

p

H

1

1

Wk

Ik

fl

MJJB

u

^9

^HH

H

Ml

P^SI

s

■

^91

3

^m

^^^pi

^

s

^ai

Fig. 382 —About Four
Years.

NOW TO TELL THE AGE.

125

Fig. 383.— At Five Years.

At seven years, the mark, in the way in which we have de-
scribed it, is worn out in the central nippers, and fast wearing away
in the corner teeth ; the tush also is beginning to be altered. It is
rounded at the point, rounded at
the edges, still round without,
and beginning to get round inside.
At eight years the tush is
rounder in every way ; the mark
is gone from all the bottom nip-
pers, and it may almost be said to
be out of the mouth. There is
nothing remaining in the bottom
nippers that can afterward clearly
show the age of the horse. The
upper nippers will give some indi-
cations, but nothing certain.

After the age of eight years,
there are no points that will en-
able determining age with any degree of accuracy. A horse that
is fed on corn will show an older mouth than one that is fed on oats
and sloppy feed.

The usual time for determining
a horse's age is in May ; but a colt
may come any time between then
and fall, so that the wearing away
of the teeth or disappearing of the
marks or cups may in some cases
indicate the horse to be older or
younger than he really is. These
conditions must be taken into con-
sideration.

At six years the teeth are rather
short, flat, or wide, and the gums
run across them horizontally,
something like Fig. 384. After
the eighth year the gums begin to
recede from the center, and the teeth become longer in appear-
ance. By looking at Fig. 390, showing twelve years, we can see
that the gum is receded and run to a sharp point at the center of
the teeth. At twenty years, the teeth are considerably narrower
and longer, and the gums are drawn back sharper.

Fig. 384.— At Six Years.

126

now TO TELL THE AGE.

By observing the face of the teeth, there will gradually be seen
a change to the triangular form, which can best be seen and de-

FiG. 385. — About Seven Years.

Fig. 386.— At Eigtil Years.

scribed by Figs. 395, 396. From the age of four-
teen, we see this is more noticeable, the middle
nippers gradually increasing and extending out
to the corner ones, as indicated by Fig. 397.
From fifteen to eighteen this triangular form be-
comes' laterally contracted, so that at about
twenty and afterward the teeth become biangular.
As before explained, there are great peculiarities
in the form of the teeth with advanced age. The
most common is shown by Fig. 397. I include

a somewhat
rare f o r m
shown by ex-
treme age.
(See Fig. 398.)
Many curious

Fig. 387.— At Eigtil
Years.

Fig. 388.— About Eight Years.

tricks and methods of telling the
horse'.s age after eight years old
have been shown the writer at
various times, such as wrinkles
about the eyes, root of the
tail, etc., none of which give the
idea so correctly as the genera
appearance of the teeth and ab-
sorption of the jaws. In young

UOW TO TELL THE AGE.

127

Fig. 389.— Abcul Six Years Old.

horses the edge of the lower jaw is round and full ; as the horse
becomes older, this edge becomes sharper and thinner.

The most unique trick shown the
writer of telling the age was the fol-
lowing : —

If a gold ring be attached to a hair
pulled from the tail or mane of a
horse, and suspended directly above
his head between his ears, it will
oscillate, like a pendulum, just the
number of times the horse is years
old, then stop and repeat. I have
repeatedly made the experiment,
and it certainly seemed to repeat
the age of the horse ; but I could not feel satisfied that the motion

of the ring was not in a
great measure controlled
by the involuntary move-
ment of the hand. The
man who gave the idea
made the experiment in
the presence of the writer,
with apparent success.

Jockeys frequently re-
sort to cutting down the
teeth of aged horses, so
as to simulate as much as
possible the appearance
of the mouth at eight or nine years of age. This was formerly
done by sawing or filing, but more
recently there has been invented,
by Dr. Lancer, a leading veterinary
surgeon of New Jersey, a very in-
genious instrument for chipping
off the teeth, so that the front nip-
pers can be cut down very quickly
and easily by any amateur. But
the breadth of the teeth and other
changes of form, as explained, will
expose the deception ; also the
deep hollow and gray hair about
the eyes, with the under lip con- Fig. 391.— Aboi;t Twenty Years Old.

Fig. 390.— About Twelve Years Old.

128

I/OW TO TELL THE AGE.

siderably pendant. This treatment is called " Bishoping," from the
name of the man who introduced it in England, and is practiced
very largely by jockeys in the larger cities of this country, espe-
cially in New York.

Fig. 392.— About Eleven Years of Age,

Fig. 393.— Mouth of the
Mare at Thirteen Years.

I wish to call attention to the fact that horses,
especially those advanced in years, are liable
to have the teeth in wearing overlap one an-
other, become very rough, and wound the inside
of the cheeks ; or the grinders become irregular
in length when they do not come opposite each
other in shutting, or the teeth become carious
and break away when not correspondingly worn
with the others, shoot up to a degree to pene-
trate the jaw, causing soreness and inflamma-
tion, and seriously interfering with eating.

The writer saw a very interesting case of
this kind at the Columbia Veterinary College,
in which the unobstructed tooth had seriously
penetrated into the upper jaw. In the endeavor
to relieve the pressure of the parts, the animal
evidently masticated the food wholly upon the
opposite side of the mouth ; in consequence of this the teeth on this
side were so worn down that both upper and lower jaws were
twisted around more than an inch out of line.

Sometimes caries, or ulceration of a tooth, produces such serious
disturbance that there may be an enlargement of the parts, growth
of fungus, or necrosis of the parts. This, too, is much more com-
mon than is suspected. Prof. Cressy, of Hartford, called my atten-
tion to a case in which a back tooth in the lower jaw became ulcer-

FiG. 394.— Mouth of the
Mare at Thirteen Years.

MOW TO TELL THE AGE.

129

Fig. 395.— At Fourteen Years Old.

ated, causing much enlargement of the jaw. He first removed the

tooth, then divided the skin at the lower edge of the jaw, and' with

a drill made a hole through the

bone. Through this hole he put

a seton to keep the parts open

until a healthy healing process

should be produced. A strong

preparation of carbolic acid was

put upon the seton, and dressed

once a day, which finally effected

a perfect cure.

When the horse, without any

apparent cause, is running down,

munching, or eating his food but

slowly, especially if there is any

lateral action of the jaw, examine the mouth carefully to see whether

there is any noticeable cause of
trouble in the teeth. If rough
and irregular, they should be
rasped down. The method of
doing this is now so well under-
stood as to scarcely need ex-
planation.

The rasping down of all ir-
regularities should be carefully
done, and if there is a decayed
tooth it should be removed by
a veterinary surgeon who is

conversant with the simplest and best method of doing it. There

are regular horse-dentistry im-
plements in general use for

this purpose, which can be
easily obtained. If the tooth
has grown down below the
level of the others, it should
be rasped or sawed off to the
proper dimensions, and care-
fully watched afterward so as
to remove any undue growth
harmful to the opposite parts.

21 a

Fig. 396.— At Sixteen Years Old.

Fig. 397.— From Seventeen to Eighteen Years-

180

HOW TO TELL THE AGE.

If there is any enlargement of either jaw, more especially of the
upper one, with perhaps a running sore offensive to the smell ; and
if in addition there is offensive matter running from the nostril on
that side, the trouble may be suspected as arising from a carious
tooth, and the jaw on that side must be carefully examined.

Fig. 398. — Extreme Age.

Fig. 399.— Ideal Colt's Mouth.

It may be asked, How is it, if the trouble arises from a carious
tooth, that the matter comes from the nostrils .?

Answer : By the imprisoned matter forming a sinus into the
nasal cavity.

The treatment for all such cases is, first, in the removing of the

offending cause, namely, the tooth it-
self, and also, as far as possible, the
dead or diseased parts, and favoring
a healthy condition of growth by
cleansing out the parts with a strong
solution of carbolic acid or chloride
of lime, or any good disinfectant.
Next, protect the parts from the lodg-
ment of particles of food, by filling
with a pledget of tow saturated with the tincture of myrrh, or any
good healing astringent, and dress once a day. If there is diseased
bone or fungus growth, it should be treated the same as for other
difficulties of the same kind.*

* Since writing the above, my attention has been called to an article in the Journal of Com-
parative Medicine and Sur(/ery, of April, 1883, by Dr. Robert Jennings, of Detroit, Mich., in
which he refers to a large number of cases of this description.

Fig. 400. — Irregular Growtti of Teeth.

Webster Family Library of Veterinary Medicine

Cunrimings School of Veterinary (VJediclne at

Tufts University

200 VVestboro Road

Wortli Grafton, MA 01536 . . .

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