IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) % // ^. u.. & Z. ^ 1.0 t^ i^ I.I M 2.2 1^ lis IIIIIM IL25 i 1.4 1.6 PholDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 iV ^ ?v v> 4^ CIHM Microfiche Series (l\/lonograplis) ICI\AH Collection de microfiches (monographies) Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions hittorlque* Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques The to t The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy avaifable for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change tht usual method of filming, are checlced below. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a et6 possible de se procurer. Les d6t!> signifie "A SUIVRE ', le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtra filmds d des taux de reduction diffb.iiartur Cmck or Burst Stopping the Foet 81io(>in<' Siiouiiu' Horsfs for Corns Shooing for (Quarter Crack Shooing the Trotter Spniin(!(l Tendon ... 43 The Horse's Foot: Its Anatomy and Dis- eases, &c '. ... 2G to40 The Natural Foot ... . 14 Tlie Flat Foot . . .. 16 The Shoe 51 To Prevent Interfering 56 To Prevent Overreaching 56 To Cure Corns 56 To Cure Worms in Horses . .58 To Cure the Scratclies 58 To Cure Spavin 59 To Cure Bone Spavin ... . . 60 Treatment for Rheumatism 61 Treatment of Wounds ... ... 64 Treatment for Quarter Crack or Burst 17 To Tell a Horse's Age 57 Youatt on Shoeing ...46 5 and and 5t 21 13 17 22 48 .. .. 23 . ... 23 . . . 43 .... 43 r)i.s- 26 to 40 .. 14 ... 16 . , .51 .. .56 .... 56 . . 56 .58 ... 58 .... 59 . ... 60 ... 61 ...64 . . .. 17 .... .57 46 SHOEING. The object in shoeing horses is to prevent the hoofs from being broken or otherwise injured, as would naturally result from driving over our hard roads unprotected in this manner. It has often been remarked, and truly so, that "No foot, no horse," which literally means, a horse without sound feet is of but little value. The feet are the basis upon which the whole superstructure rests. (ftuti- fui and complicated piece of mechanism, .. like all complicated machinery, easily deranged ; hence the necessity of preserving it in a healthy state, to accomplish which, shoeing has been instituted, which, when properly done, has the desired effect. The shoe has two very important offices to per- form : Ist, to preserve the hoof in its natural shape ; 2nd, to protect it from injury. In order to properly understand the principles of shoeing, it is necessary that we should understand the structure of the horse's foot, and with this view we will briefly consider its anatomical relations. The hoof, or horny case, is the first object claiming our atten- tion, which, for convenience of description, has been divided thus : the crust or wall, the sole, and the 6 ON H0RSE-8H0EIN0, bars. The crust or wall is that part which ccvorH above to the skm at the terrninatiui, <>f th. hairs. Aftis upper juargin is termed th<. cnvnuri. The crust or Mall, internally, is made up of junn.ruus homy lamm,, whieh are very soft uiul-.-luHtic in their character. The sole is the ground .t.rfaee of tne iioot, anterior to the bars and fr..u. The bars are reflected processes of the wall passing oblim.ely across the bottom of the foot on oith-U' «ld.. o{ the trog, gxving support to the heela. Tho internal p ates, but are less numerous in prr, portion to tho surface covered than are those of the vmni or wall. side and the heels are the posterior portions of the crust or wall, being the thinner and WLuk^f parts, llus horny case in its natural condition i« miite elastic, thus preserving the whole (i„imnl fran)e from concussion. The frog is a triauKulen elastic cushion situated between the bars, and lijlii.cfup the entire triangular space between tho nmtiW and heels, completing the ground surface of tho foot Ihe internal surface of the frog in v«n'y iirej/ular' presenting three elevations and two dfipre.sions'. Ihe central ridge or division extends from before backward and upward. The two ihimmwm be- tween these ridges receive the soft cushion or igamentous frog The foot internally mmptm, the coffin, navicular, and lower part of th« m-oHary or small mnat/ifi} \\r,r"^" "1 '-• J -- *' the sensttive lammcB, sole and frog. Th© eoronet oi rt wliidi covoiH iiiuif (ittudiod m of tho linirs. mviitwi. The U' of Dliincruus iHul'cluHtio in Hiiid Kurt'ficu of rug. Ttl<' hlTH 8«illg obJiquely H'V HJ(1(> of the Tho ititonial »l'iiy hiniiiui; or r^)ortmi to tho 3 trustor wall. iio MUartpi', nnd 5f the hoof, the wall on either {tortious of the i Wi'rtkt-f parts, ilition in quite animiil frnme munkv, eluKtic III lining up the I (jimrterjt and 36 of the foot, very irr«'gu]ar, ^0 dopresHions. Is fr<*ni before leprnM«ions he- ft ounhioii or tlly comprises »f tht* eni'nnary nig, Cioiilaifcs, rhe coronet or ON HORSE-SHOBiNO. 7 small pastern bone is nearly square, presenting four surfaces, the upper, for articulating vvith the large j»>r<»f?r«, having an elevation in its centre, forming with the large pastern a kind of hinge-joint. By this arrangement strength is added to the parts. The lower surface is concave in the centre, which uniting with the coffin and navicular bones, forms another hinge-joint of still greater strength. The colBn-bone is semi-lunar in forn 'he front surface is convex, the ground and posterior surfaces are concave. The projections behind on either side are called the alse or wings, to which are attached the lateral cartilages, which extend upward and backward, and are readily discovered by placing the fingers above the hoof at tJie quarters. The navi- cular bone completes the bones of the foot, situated posteriorily between the cofHn and coronary bones, forming what is commonly known as the coffin or navicular joint. It is semi-oval in form, presenting four surfaces, the upper articulating with the' coronary, the anterior with the coffin-bone ; the lower, over which the perforans tendon or back sinew plays, has a much broader surface than either of the others. Posterior and under these bones, we have the Ugamentons frog ; between this frog and the sole we have the sensitive frog ; covering the anterior surface of the noffin-bone we find a very delicate structure, known as the sensitive laminae, which is very vascular and largely supplied with minute nerves. This laminated structure corres- ponds to that of the hoof, and when adjusted, fills up the entire circle of the hoof. I deem it un- necessary to go into a more minute description of tb3 parts, as it would be uninteresting to the 8 ON HORSE-SHOEING. degree thefleshv or "" "! '"^ considerable defend the ,„„t .ffi^X tin 1.:™ uZf but m consequence of its rapid wear Zh . T ' would only be applicable for^aS 'oriln """ purposes. To trive nil fi,« '^'*^^"f' oi temporary backward. ^It Ijt h« f ""'^ *^' ^"^^ »«'^-hol<^ Sn:'s^tS'S'-?--- only for the healthv tl^t~-^ll.'^'^ ".'"'^ded standard, so o,n.t the-fi™ 'and bJariirofT te' i ; i [NG, feel interested in ifit will be derived arks. cperience, that tlie > not suffer so long Si confined to the from that bearing e if the sole of the any considerable ' becomes bruised ole below and the becomes lame in erefore, that the bearing of the !y protected, and • that part of the the crust would as it would last ; ear, such a shoe ig, or temporary rt the crust can make the shoe >nable time, the be divided into Jrgin should be f the crust ; the inward so as to ng the heels of 3 last nail-hole ind that no one forms and con- loe is intended ;atos from that ^ngof the shoe ON HORSB-SHOBaNO. 9 be altered to meet tlio altered conditions as thev , ;. .„]i.>h 7 This occurs on the inside quarter. The crust and bar forming a triangular space causes a two-fold 10 ON HORSE-SHOEI.VO. the hom at th" art of tl, '?'■"?*' " l'°"«"' "f -H spot, som^^t'to ;'i^/jf:';'X"';:'';""'"''i' " latter stage a esl.?,'^'^ ''''"."'■■. ^'"^ '''«'"' tl.e prompt att:„tT:„ " ..Te 'nnvXt"™ ■"■' 'V^i""" throngh the q.m te , proS, ^ ™ ,,r"'"'1 '°'™'"*-' ^.luftter, "fte,^er„nia\ , , i "1,", Xt' t"'™ "' -dine, to „tt,f:,teTh e\err„^„lr"^ ""^'^ r/th;7er"ti«:t-^ *•""'•"■"' '^^™"^" ease, founde™ ,'., a ™Ter„V "T'''^'""'' '''"■ frequently dn'e to eo^;, eti^ t h'te '" Ar't,"" evii m shoe ng, wliirh is r.,l^„l,t 1 , ^"other chief, is the fitting fth^, ho" t ',,''7'?'' ?'"■ red hot. This has LI,, "'° '"»' "''I'le throughout alf Eu one i;' H™"''' °' """■P'""'' little Thought of t Sfsnel! """'"'■y """* i'^ tioe nrevail Tl r ''"" '='^'''"" does theprac- -udiE. ■ erf'rnSr'wr' I*" *- '» this quently i the cause of ^^ » care ess workma,,, fre- the most faJorabe eirc" ° ' "'' """* '""^^' all possible care e»?'"*"r''' Pe*™cd with honffor a ,:t,"^' , ™Xr ""''T"!'^' ^'ction of less sure-footed, andoftenc:..,^'™* ""^ """"">' its applicatioi, Tl, u "f lameness to follow 1'1..3 ef co„.e wo;„dt "att'e^S:d ttVL'?c\t;: rOELVo. ON HOUSE-SHOEING. 11 sirts witliin, actin;^' Jiki, comes cliinini8hc(I tlw. »e hoof becon;es nioro ? tendency to crack on f^nioving a portion of >t Hulicated, wo find a , at other times of a ^ince. The feet in the 'nditzon as to require lave a sinus forming g a disease known as permanent Jameness, Few men believe nature ; hence their fects to other causes, lave done, they will iiavicular-joint dis- f other diseases, are f the feet. Another ited so do much mis- e to the foot while 3urce of complaint IS country there is xient does the prac- of the shoe in this eless workman, fre- lischief, and under es, performed with lealthy secretion of idering the animal ! lameness to follow iW in all cases be loot to the shoe. I with more labor ; lience the unwillingness of smiths to do it. Better would it be for the owner to pay double the price for shoeing his horse than to have injury done by the application of the red-hot shoe. In almost all European countries, within the last few years, the .smith has been much benefitted by the rapid advanc(js made toward perfecting this important branch of labor, mainly through the efforts of oiir professors in the various veterinary colleges pointing out, as they have done, th'i evils of this shoe and the benefits of that one. The varieties worthy of mention are as follows : Prof. Coleman's frog-bar shoe, James Turner's unilateral shoe, Mr. Friend's frog-pressure shoe, and Mr. Percival's sandal. Many other varieties have been introduced from time to time, requiring no special remark in a work like this. Prof. Coleman's frog-bar shoe consists of a circular piece of iron, flat on the upper side, about half an inch thick, broader back than front, so as to afford protection and limited pressure upon the frog, the under sur- face being nearly flat ; the shoe is secured by four nails on either side. This shoe, in some cases, answers a very good purpose in protecting tender feet from concussion. James Turner's unilateral shoe differs only in its application from the shoe described for healthy feet. It is nailed to the foot, free on the inside, having six nails on the outside and two on the in- side toe, with a levd bearing for the crust and heels. Mr. Friend's shoe is designed for the com- munication of frog pressure. It differs from Mr. Uoieman's by having the frog-bar separated from the shoe and suspended by a leathern sole — the 12 ox HORSE-SHOEl.Vff. o^et of .hieh is also fo. tender and soro-footocl «i3|-orTii:^-tt^-or^^^^^ buckles attached, by tvEi ,o ^'^""'^^S^'r with to the foot. Fo; miny tts if '"' '^ ''''' '''^'^'^ a^anner, and suppose^! to i" ' ,?' /PI^^!'^ ^ '» this «^an ^vas capable of makiL it ^^'1?* ""^ itself as however, Mr. Percival ,^.>?^ ■ ^^^'^^ recently, 'WJication by mea if 1 .^"f, '" ^'^^''^ ^^ ^^ menceti a sPries TL^L, V''^^'' ^^^^^^ con,- the adoption of an endCnia\rM ^\^"'^"^^*-^ ^" was an in.provement a once slmn?^'; ^'""^ ^his desir-ed, rendorin- its Zn\Z-^ ^''^ '""^^ to be ess liable to become demi]^"" ."^^^« A™, and Jjjtended for genera] pSt ,^"^ vandal is not the place of a lost shoe on fh? f """^'^ ^° «"PPJy fy applied and affcrdin'. elal .rT'',.'^ ^"^«" ^^^^i^ j^r (. . ° ^ ^^ protection to the foot. the ground surface-suppos d In' l!' '"^^'^^^^ «» feet m getting a firm footK i .i ^^^ ^ ^'^^ter being flat, except at tlL he.if~*^ ^^^' «"rface beveled outward, to facili^at k""'^"'^ ''' '^^Shtly fncy of the feet tSs 1 i '^^P^^^ive tend- bearing surface is coin' d T^'r'' ^'' '' "^^ best plan yet discovered Tor .vVr^' '° ^ the feet, having witnesLT the L ^""^/"^ contracted , application ii, alar'enulrf'^'^ '^''^' «f its advantage. Great ''earnest JTt '^^^^« ^^^^^^ bevel IS little more than a Wn'*'^'" "^^<^ the fo much mischief f beveled T"^' "' ^'^ ^^^^^ the heels. " ''''^'^^^^ sufficientlv to forces tender and sore-footcj ' 0"g;»ally made, con- I' ^veb bandages, with i»oans it was secured ^ It was applied in this f^ perfect in itself as 2:_it. More recently, jeivnig an idea of its iia-rubber bands, coni- nts which resulted in I iia-rubber band. This I imple and nuich to be ation more firm, and '• Ihis sandal is not h bnt only to supply > ' road, it being readi^ ^ protection to the foot. J vented a shoe which ! 5 shoe is concave on ^ ^ to have a greater ] —the upper surface j .which are slightly 1 the expansive tend- j 'P e, as far as the | t believe to be the • ^l^ndinc^ contracted ^ pficial effects of its \ ■cases always with be 'taken that the f^eanng, as it would iufficiently to force ON HORSE-SHOEIXO. 13 PREPARING THE FOOT. The subject of paring has not escaped the fatality which seems to have attended every matter connect- ed with the foot. The most opposite and contra- dictory opinions have been expressed regardint^ it Where such extremes exist, a line drawn between the two is usually the most correct. We will there- fore assume that position. In a state of nature (and we must take her as our guide) the growth of the hoof is about equal to its wear. When the shoe IS upon it this wear is prevented. Our object then, in paring the foot is to make the removal of the hoof equal to the growth of the foot. Where this principle is not observed, we see the effects of not paring in some horses whose shoes are allowed to remain on the feet for some months without being removed— the crust becomes unusually long tlie sole thick, the animal tripping at every step Ihese cases prove the necessity of proper paring a^ a substitute for the natural wear of the hoof when unshod. In preparing the foot for the shoe, care should be taken to remove all the old stubs, the crust should be lowered from the toe to the heel with the lever knife, and the sole should then be carefully pared with the drawing-knife. The bars and the frog require to be trimmed out, removing only ragged or loose portions, or such parts as may conceal dirt or other matter producing unhealthy In the first place the natuial foot should be made a careful study of any man owning horses, and more especirtlly fcne sheer ; but it is quite the reverse in many instances, too much so for the good of the ! !' 14 •^-V HORSE-SHOEING. hor« that ^.Tl%ylm Zn "', " """' ''^"=>>"'K •' «ood toe calk ; .."itld'tl el: ,? "it™''"* " sion on the hnrcio or. 1 . • "'i- ateis. 1 had compas- somethinir; that I,>tlp i "^"l"""'^. the fool knew sucees.. vvhich he wM n '^7'*^^"^ '' ™«"3' a man's the foo't a Sy'' ^rsT stur/.' '^ '^" "°* "^^^ foot and leg, and then Ton !^ the anatomy of the shoeing. ^ ''" y^" «^« "^ a fair way to learn THE NATURAL FOOT. iiinds of a shoe, there is one thin« cannot shoe in the same manner hf We wTn ""TJ '^y ^^^ sharp one ^ ' ''^" ^^^^ that for further on, and the different certain, we summer and of the heavy is the best. come to FITTING OF THE SHOE. .olWow, thS Sd :;i'7T^^-°^^ -^* ^- ^^ able ? I should sav one nJ f°'* ,^T^^ ^^ ^refev- low ; not too flat ^r iot ton *°' ^"f ^' ^'^ ^^' too hroad, yet not too n^r! ■xl'PP''^' ^^t not too Undeistand me when fsaT' 7'^} ^J^"^^ '^ «r"«t. in thickness, v^rieVsetLf "'^ -f ^^"«*' ^ "-^n Well, we have got the foot l. '^jPf P'^ P^«««- should «ay level i >? ' u* "' ^* *^^ >^hoe. I -«J itvd It, with what, a buttrice? No HOEIXO. a shoe to stay, that fs »<' of a man fetching a tlio shop and wanting a he Jieels. I had compas- mi away shod quite tlie « nund the fool knew thing is many a man's low if he does not make ay the anatomy of the B in a fair way to learn L FOOT. I'ions on the different ae thing certain, we nner in summer and ■' permit of the heavy 'ai'P one is the best, on, and come to Q SHOB. 3e-year-old colt for to oot would be prefer- 00 high, yet not too cupped, yet not too th plenty of crust, ity of crust, I mean 'n Its proper place, ns fit the shoe. I t. a buttrice? No, I ON HORSE-SHOEING. 16 let them take the lever knife and go around it ; then take the rasp and'smooth it and he will not know the difference only you have the foot up, now you have got it level. Avi} you going to con- cave the shoe all the way to the heels and leave them out a half an inch wider than the foot? No, leave it level and fit it to the foot. Now comes the nailing. Set your shoe well forward ; don't Iftare a half inch for to be cut off with an old piece of scythe. Be sure and start your nails right. What is right 1 In centre of crust 1 No ; that is what makes many a chipped foot. Start it to the inside, gaging it so that it will get a firm hold. Now comes the drawing down. Remember the foot has got some feeling in it and don't draw the nails too tight. Now comes the clinching. Leave your clinch just long enough so that the hammer can catch it nicely to bend it. Will you bend it over and hammer it fast to the foot 1 No ; turn the ends and be sure and strike plum with the nails for where there is nerve there is feeling. Now comes the smoothing it up. Do not rasp above the nails.; leave it a little rounding for to leave the strength in foot. What ! has this shoe been put on without burning ? the whole substance left in the foot. How 1 by using the lever knife. 16 ox IIOnSE-SHOEIN'O. I I I i I'M !' of an inch at he •]«? WJ '^ f ['J^^^^, ^^^r a quarter to heel nail one eighth "/n,^l^" ]'T^^ "P horse will widen the foot if nrn , ^t"" ^'^^^ of the put over three nail, on tJi^lfX/'f, ""''f '''''' on each side will do. Fl- 1 ,h • T'^"'S three weather and roads will pernHt " P^^^^^^^e when THE PLAT FOOT. 1 A hard foot to e very liable to burst again. A foot liable to burst should have the shoo resting on heels, in fact I contend all shoes should rest on heels. 18 ON HORSE-HHOEINO. ■m OONTRAOTBD FOOT. A contracted foot is generally canaed by fever, caused by founder or roading or navicular or strain tn tendon or even standing in the stable. TREATMENT. It is necessary in the first place to find the cause. It is generally laid to the smith, but in most cases it is as above stated. The first thing is get rid of fever by poulticing : Say linseed meal, and get it well softened ; then taken to the shop the softening gives the smith a chance to do a good job. He can clean out the bottom and take his lever knife and trim Mie crust down well and especially the toe. Now the foot is ready for the shoe. A heavy shoe will give more action. Put a half an inch heel calk and no toe calk. When heels of shoe are hot rasp off the outside or bearing outward to let the foot expand when a new growth is started, by a light blister around cornet or top of foot. Then keep the horse standing on ground floor to keep fever out. OVBRRBAOHING OR CLIOKING Is very annoying to man and must be verj ■'.: ..-o^,;' to the horse. As there are many different kinds of hitting, in the first place find out whether the heel, or side, or toe of the shoe is marked. If heel, put a good heft of shoe in front and a light shoe behind, 'X'.c}^ heels say three quarters of an inch, standing »>»: forr^^rd and a low toe calk set well back. If ON H0H8E-SHOEIN0. 10 aide or toe, make outside as huavy again as inside and nin it out longer, say thre« quarters of an inch with inside fitting close. lie sure and have inside I ilf of foot pared so it stands level or a little in, which in most cases will giit the hind foot outside of front one. A horse is most apt to have some particular gait that lie will hit the most ; very often ho can be driven out of it by checking and sent along at a good road gait. MIXED GAITS. As there are many horses with nuxed gaits it has caused me quite a study to square them away, but 1 have come to the conclusion that shoeing with toe weights in front and ligiit shoes behind with proper handling, that is to say not to use any heavier weights than will square them away, not to put on ten ounces at first ; put on five, if that won't do, try six, and so on, and always have your horse come to the barn as good, and feeling as good as he left it, and he will soon be a good driver. APPLICATION OF THB SHOE. In applying the shoe to the foot it should not be set back half or three quarters of an inch from the toe— the projecting parts of the wall cut away a3 is usually the custom. The shoe should be carried fully to the outer margin of the wall. Thus wo preserve the wall entire, giving its f\dl bearing sur- 4MW iur inT:r siiwe, i--:-3c-rviJig Liiu 'vvaii uiiiiijureu. By removing any portion of the crust it is weakened 20 ON HORCE-SHOEIXG. n> m exact proportion as it is cut away, reducing the space for drivmg the nails, and increasing the danger of pricking ; or, what is as bad, driving the nails too close, to say nothing of the change from the natural form of the foot. It is thJahmm which compel us to regard shoeing the great pvil of his domestication. The nails should be pronerlv pointed, and not driven too high up-carJ sllotiia be taken to have them as regular as possible. Three nails on the inside and four on the outside are usually all that are required for any purpo«e. CUm If used at all, should be small, otherwL they S the frequent cause of an obscure lameness, which in very difficult to manage. The mischief i» done bv the horn m its downward growth meeting with the resistance which the clip offers, hence the bon» il turned inward upon the inside toe, causing pwmut& upon the sensitive lamina^, and coffin-bone, cattiing inflammation and, from pressure, the bone iu absorbed at the toe, while the soft tissues undergo other permanent alterations of structure, alike de- structive of the animal's usefulness. INTESRFBRING. Our first ol^ject is to ascertain, if possible, the cause of interfering, and the part which stHki^! whether he shoe or the foot. Many horse, strike from weakness, or long continued exertion. Par- ticularly is this the case in young animals. Othew cut from faulty conformation of the limbs-tiie toes turning u. or out too much is a frequent cause. Bv -rrv "'6 --"a^^ "-u liic looi which cuts, we rettdjlv discover the precise part of the foot which does the ON HORSE-SHOEING, 21 ueing the wiiiK the iving the nge from «e abu«e« at evil of properly re should le. Three tsidti are iti, Clipi, thfly are whieh i» dona by with the Q hotti in pr68«iure I cauiing bone i« undergo dike d@* ibie, the striken, )• strike I. Par« OthifM the toea »©. By readily loes the injury. Haying satisfied ourselves of this, we must for once deviate from our rule in shoeing, by maic- ing the shoe straight on its edge at the part indi- cated, cutting down the crust level with it. By this means the feet frequently work clear. Where this does not succeed, the shoe should be widened in the web at the point where the foot strikes, but not thickened, as is too often done ; the natural . bearing of the foot must be preserved. Should' this, too, fail, there is no resort but a strip of India- rubber, placed between the shoe and the foot, pro- jecting at least a quarter of an inch beyond the shoe. This being soft and elastic, it will not bruise the part struck by the shoe or foot, giving it time to heal, and cause the animal to work clear in travel- ing. Either one of these plans is successful, if properly allied, in a majority of cases ; yet all are unsuccessful in a few cases of natural deformity, or faulty coiiformation in the limbs. OVBRRBAOHINO. Many persons regard overreaching as an indica- tion of a bad horse, yet we are compelled to recog- nize it as a fault in some of the best. It frequently occurs with young horses, on a moderate gait, and disappears altogether on increasing the speed of the animal. It arises from too great activity of the hind-kgs, the fore ones not being able to get out of the way in time. This habit is often brought on by too heavy shoeing in front, and too light shoeing behind. By reversing this principle I have found it. f.n nnftxirnr on ovniilloi-if mYvtv^^ WTU habit is allowed to go unchecked, the heels often become bruised, and in some instances the shoes 22 ON HORSE-SHOEING. are torn oflf from the front-feet, causing much miBchief to irise in consequence. This habit, too, like interfering, occurs in young horses after severe driving, from becoming leg-weary, a circumstance which should be carefully avoided, as habits are easily formed, but often most difficult to be got rid ot. The preservation of the horse's feet depends very much upon careful and skillful application of the shoe, independently of its being constructed on correct principles. Many horses with very bad feet are enabled to go sound for many years by careful shoeing, while a bungling hand would render the same animal unfit for service in a single shoeing It requires considerable tact to fit a shoe properly on a bad or weak foot, so as to protect it from injury EWOPPINO THE PBBT. The hoofs of horses standing upon plank floors soon become excessively dry and hard, unless artifi- cial nieans are resorted to to prevent it ; and if shod m this state, it is almost impossible for the smith to pare them. The opponents of stopping, and there are a few, offer as an objection that it sometimes tends to produce thrush. This I do not pretend to deny where such stopping as cow-dung is resorted to, but it does not occur when linseed-meal is used for that purpose. This certainly is the best and cleanest application, and can be used several times by softening with a little water. To keep the soles moist and healthy, the feet should be sfcoi^p/i r^y^^ night in the summer, and every third ^ighrin iing much liabit, too, fter severe cuinstance habits are be got rid t depends lication of ;ructed ou •y bad feet oy careful •ender the boeing. It aerly on a njury. ON HORSE-SHOEING. 23 winter. If the crust is brittle, as is frequently the case, it is a good plan to apply a mixture of tar, lard, and turpentine, equal parts, to the hoof. SHOBING HORSBS FOR CORNS. Care must be taken that the com be well cut out, and a little butter of antimony or muriatic acid applied to the part affected. The hoof from the corn backward must be cut away so that no part of the heel strikes the shoe, avoiding pressure, and re- lieving the part from unnecessary concussion. A horse thus shod, no matter how bad his corns may be, will travel sound, and with perfect ease, that otherwise shod would be decidedly lame. mk floors less artifi- nd if shod ■ smith to ind there ometimes retend to I resorted 1 is used best and ral times the soles )nr§ rt ^ » *^ «•■•■» night in SHOEING FOR QUARTBR-CRAOK. To remedy this evil requires care and judgment. A horse should be shod upon the same principle precisely as for corns— a bar-shoe, often recom- mended, is unnecessary. Properly shod, there will be but little trouble in growing out a sound hoof. The least pressure upon the heel of the shoe will be sufficient to prevent the hoof from growing down, and thus defeat any efforts which may be made to- ward remedying the injury. So «oon as three eighths or half an inch of new horn has grown down, the hoof should be burned with a red-hot iron just above the orack, at right angles with it, which will prevent its breaking up anew. A little tar or hoof ointment should be kept upon the part, 24 ON HORSE-SHOEING, \0 f.iii \i\ which Will protect it from dirt, and assist in hastening the growth of the new horn, usually re- quiring from six to nine months for the crack to grow out. A HORSB BAD TO SHOE. The habit of resistance to being shod, or allowing the feet to be handled, like all others to which horses are subject, is the result of careless and im- prudent management It would seem, rom the reckless disregard of consequences so generally evinced in handling young horses, as though man doubted his own reason, and would not take coun- sel of the teachings of prudence. If the feet had been handled gently at first (as I have directed), and blacksmiths had not vented so much of their impatience in the way of pounding with the hammer for every little movement or resistance in shoeing, this habit would never have been contracted. The natural tractability of the horse causes him to yield a ready obedience to all reasonable demands, that he comprehends. If the feet are jerked up roughly, and without an effort to reconcile him to being handled, the colt will strive to get away, or free himself from what he supposes will hurt him. Never hold to the foot with all your might, when the colt is trying to jerk away, for, in such a case, strength is not your forte, and your struggles only convince the horse of your weakness. Handle the horse in conformity with the laws of his nature, so as not to excite resistance through fear of injury. If the horse does not very much resist the handling of his feet, put the Camanche bridle on him, and s?y. C.J ON HORSE-SHOEING. 25 nd assist in , usually re- bhe crack to , or allowing rs to which ess and im- i, rom the o generally though man ; take coun- she feet had e directed), ich of their the hammer in shoeing, acted. The dm to yield nands, that up roughly, m to being ay, or free hurt him. light, when uch a case, iiggles only Handle the ! nature, so r of injury, ie handling )u him, and put a short strap on his hind foot. Pulling n\x)n the strap will bring the foot forward, and he will probably resist by kicking. The instant he kicks, repiovft him with the bridle, which is held in the other hand, and so continue until the foot can be held without resistance. But, if your subject is very bad, take a strap or rope, about twelve feet long, and tie one end of it in a loop around his neck, where the collar rests ; pass the other end back between the fore legs, and around the near hind leg, below the fetlock, thence back between the legs, and through the loop around the neck. x»iow step in front of the horse, and take a firm hold of the rope or strap, and give a quick pull on It, which will bring the foot forward ; pull the foot as far forward as you can, which will give you the more advantage. The horse will try to free the foot by kicking. Hold the head firmly with the left hand, and with the other hold the strap firmly. Stand right up to the horse's shoulder and whirl him about you, which you can easily do -vhile he struggles to free himself. As soon as he yields, handle the foot gently, and then let up on it a little, and so continue till he will let you handle the foot without resistance. It may be necessary to repeat the lesson once or twice, and be careful to handle the foot with the greatest gentleness. If the rope is rough, put a collar on the neck instead of the loop, and fasten your strap to it. Use a smooth, soft strap, so as not to chafe the foot where it passes around it. 26 ON H0R8E-SH0EING. THE HORSES FOOT. N'iii ITS ANATOMT AND DISEASES, &C diseases and remedies XouM t ^ LToodl; ^U men, especially every owner, and w7lall l^J f in as condensed a form as poLibl f n . ^ T"^' facts before our readers ^' *° ^^^ *^««« The foot is composed of the hornv bov fl.of the horiy lami««, the soYa".nd he htn'; w'"'' wh^^frL^LlLriCuna^S- ;rh-i-ri4\^^^^^ least extremity behind, where Tf^/u ^ *^^ horses. X„ . sound'hiof "thf^^^^^/.-egr^f ON HORSE-SHOEING. 27 I (fee, " is one which is book. The it members of 1 anatomy, its lerstood by all shall proceed, to lay these •ny box that I the contents apoeed of the ind, the bars, 'my frog, vhich is seen > and reaches ground. It * toe, measur- at the sides, and of the seldom more ed the heel. I flat surface k wards, and in diiierent ■ degree of obliquity is 45°, or the fourth part of a semi-circle, at the front of the foot. When the obliquity is greater .than this it indi- cates flatness of the sole, and the crust is said to have "fallen in." If the obliquity 's much increased the sole projects, and is said to be pumiced or convex. If the foot is more upright or forms a greater angle than 45°, it indicates much contraction and a sole too concave ; and this difference is often so great that the convexity or concavity of the' sola may be affirmed without the trouble of raising the foot for the purpose of examination. It is of im- portance to observe whether the depth of the crust appears rapidly or slowly to decrease from the front to the heel. If the decrease is little, and even at the heel, the crust is high and deep, this indicates a foot liable to contraction, sand ci-acks, thrush, and inflammation. The pasterns are upright. The paces of that horse are not pleasant. On the other hand, if the crust rapidly diminishes in depth and the heels are low, this is accompanied by too great slanting of the pn«terns and disposition to sprain in the back sinew. The crust is composed of numerous horny fibres, connected together by an elastic membranous sub- stance, and extending from the coronet to the base of the hoof. It differs materially in its texture, its elasticity, its growth, and occasional fragility, ac- cording to the state in which it is kept, and the cir 28 ON HORSE-SHOEING. the horse ]mshad1n/a7'«Hn'-'T' "^^^«^^ «^«t to such a degree as"";. '"u^ '''f ' ^"^ "^^^ horn, and to leave somp in ^" ^^^qnal growth of the interr^al part oftL foorTr""'!"^"^^^ '^ sion or hollow in front of H,: f { ^uT '^ * ^^P^^' [ng of the coffin wLd/flV' ^^^''^^'^ ^ «i"k. If there is a hollow at Ih.l .^^ °' i^"™^'^*^^ sole, symptom of bad crntrLtion'"^;l?l,^* t ''^ "°^^^^ «nist, in the front of thp fn f ^\'^"^'« °^ *he inch; it becomes Vadnallv 7h; '' '^'"' ^ '^^ «« quarters and heel, but h 7nl "''.*°^*^^« ^he siderable extent. °^*^" ^«"^« to a con- -or^ iZTi'i^z: s ^n rr *^ ^' ^--' f much at the quarters iis^':^?/' ^^'. *''' ^^^ nol horses are of ten wounded /n ^^*^"^P"««g that the some of them are vprv . shoeing, especially as Koing this process. ^ unmanageable while under- qnaTtei^fi^rrfsorri*'^"'^^^ ^°^-^« ^^^^ outer, because more wetht ; "ff' ^"''^''' *^^" *he upon the 0..,.. x^ r^^/, j^^^^-n npK. it than -u'cV'mor o/ te w^t tf^^ ^ ^^^^ so and, being thinner it fs Ll ' *^^" °^ *^« °nter; elasticity I calLd' 111 ^f '4^'^^"^ '''''■ ^'^ ana .njury are avoided.- wL^^ :^,Z::^l^ G. it- The exterior I and level. Pro- rust indicate tlxat the feet, and that mequal growth of 3 consequences in '/iere is a depres- it betrays a sink- or pumiced sole. 5> it is the worst thickness of the 3 about I of an ler towards the ^^aries to a con- jority of horses, he toe, and not prising that the g, especially as le while under- towards both larter than the "Pt'n it than ! horse. on which so on the outer ; nd more. Its id concussion mxsion of the ON HORSE-SHOBmO. 29 quarters is prevented by their beinf/ nailed to an ?/«- hendivg shot, the inner quarter suffers most. Corns are found there, contraction begins there, and. sand craclis are centered there. Nature meant that this should be the most yielding part, in order to obviate concussion, because on it the weight is principally thrown, and, therefore, when its power of yielding is taken away, it must be the first to suffer. A careful observer will perceive that the inner quarter is higher than the outer. While it is thin to yield to the shock, its increased surface gives it sufficient strength. On account of its thinness and the additional weight which it bears, the inner heels wear away quicker than the outer, a circumstance that should never be forgotten by the smith. The object is to give a plain and level bearing to the whole of the crust. To accomplish this, it will be often scarcely necessary to remove anything from the inner heel, for this has already been done by the wear of the foot. If he forgets this, which he often seems to do, and cuts away with the knife or his bui,trice an equal proportion all around, he leaves the inner and weaker quarter lower than the outer. He throws an uneven bearing upon it and produces corns, sand cracks, and splints, which, with a littl^ care and common sense, might have been avoided. The crust does not vary much in thickness until near the top, at the coronet, or union of the horn of the foot with the skin of the pasterns, where it 30 ON HORSE- SHOEING, been supposed by some to h. eon.!. '4 f '--- f^r -pport or action of that body, ^^^^^^l Jv" i^^W. KG. lanner scooped or iges its color and 3 a continuation of 1 it by maceration illed the coronary 'er portion of the overS; a thickened > skill, called the ition of the skin — »plied with blood- blood-vessels con- «re, and many of forming the crust abled the sensible 8 a certain quan- mmediate defence d or taken away, n sand-crack or a. portion of the firm, hard sub- the wound, but >m this coronary id-crack, quittor, of the crust are ewed, or growing ronary ligament, foot with the f the horn, of "Pply is slowly ?ar of the part, n strip of horny le frog, and hag I'.'.vfcvi Willi cne t which is evi- ON HOR8B-8HOBINO. 31 dently intended to add to the security of the part on which it is found, and to bind together these various substances which are collected at the coronet. It resembles, more than anything else, the strip of skin that surrounds the root of the human nails, and which is placed there to strengthen the union of the nail with the substance from which it proceeds. The Bars. At the back part of the foot, the wall of the hoof, instead of continuing round and forming a circle, is suddenly bent in. The bars are, in fact, a continua- tion of the crust, forming an acute angle, and meeting at a point at the toe of the frog ; and the inside of the bars, like the inside of the crust, pre- sents a continuance of the horny leaves, showing that it is a part of the same substance, and helping to discharge the same office. It needs only a slight consideration of the natural hoof to show the importance of the bars. The arch which these form on either side, between the frog and the quarters, is admirably contrived both to admit of, and to limit to its proper extent, the expansion of the foot. When the foot is placed on the ground, and the weight of the animal is thrown on the leaves, of which mention has just been made, these arches will shorten and widen, in order to admit of expansion of the quarters — the bow returning to its natural curve and powerfully ausisting the foot iu regaining its usual form. It will also be seen that these bar& must form a Ill i I M 32 ON HOR8E-8HOEINO. u.e« will rs,.. op^inh"" "i''™''"^' falling i» of the quarter \X ti^/T'""""" ™ 'o auv (lisefl«« „r 1,. 1 "'" '°°' '» exposed One Pioment's observafinn r.t *u •,. . lateral portions of the foot. '^'^^^ «!>« to the The Horny LamlnsB. The inside of the crust is covered hv thJn u leaves extending all around it'a'd rLli " 'S the coronary ring to the toe. They are abort ^on m number, broadest at their base LS f! . ^ m the mo.t delicate expansion of ho™ ''Tn tonf they run in a direction from the coron™" to thfT ' torse IS supported. ^^w^i oi tne The Sola. ^ '-"' '"" '^"^■"'''' °^cause, notwithstanding its situa- {}yiA „ _ m. ntraction or wiriut^ i are taken away, the contraction or Je foot is exposed lit, that wouid in- them will also they afford to the they give to the 189. >d by thin horny id reaching from y are about 500 and terminating horn. In front, I'onet to the toe, e more slanting will be presently tnd fleshy leaves d form a beauti- i weight of the ON HORSE-SnOEIXO. 33 portion of the foot, extending ?' It is not aa anding its situa- tion, it does not support so much weight as the crust; and because it is intended to expand, in order to prevent concussion, when, l)y the descent of the bone of the foot, the weight is thrown upon it. It is not so br.ale as the crust, and more elastic. It is thickest at the toe, because the Jirst and principal stress is thrown on that part. The coffin-bone is driven forward and downward in that direction. It is thicker where its unites Avith the crust than the centre, because there the weight is first and principally thrown. In a state of nature it i.s, to a certain degree, hollow. The reason for this is plain. It is intended to descend or yield with the weight of the horse, and lessens the shock ; and this descent can only be given by a hollow sole. A flat sole, already pressipg upon the ground, could not be brought lower ; nor could the func- tions of the frog be then discharged. Then, if the sole is naturally hollow, and hollov because it must descend, the smith should not interfere with this important action. He must put on a shoe which will not prevent the descent of the sole, and which does not press upon it. Tf the sole is pressed upon by the coffin- bone during the lengthening of the elastic laminae, and the shoe will not permit its descent, the .'- i'"iv r_'<^ iTTctru !Jic uuiuii-Duiiu anu ihe nom will necessarily be bruised, and inflammation and lameness will ensue. ( r 34 ON HOnSE-SIJOEIWfl. !!li The Froiir. it ^fs IhP Xf' ^'^'''" ^^' '"»'^' nc^ltrntely lillin. It, IS the Jroff. It la a ti- aiiifuJaj' tiortir.,, r,f T ^ projecting from the sole, aluul oL T o ^ ^ tlUhe crust, and cover ng and defen-lint/ .. Jn T substance called the s.J.sf^' ]f:i:^ '^ ^f^ heel, and there extends bewu^U , IT /n'' crust ; narrowing rapidly whe IJ in\ '^'" fined between tl,o b'ars,^.nd i^muZ::^',:^ a^t somewhat more than half Uu, di .tanc'oTro.'hed The frog is firmly united to tljo ««!„ u,,, ,•„,,• S^sijLi ----?£ Hi terent surface, for it is thrown out fJn. Ti , stance which it covers. It very ^^1 J ^^^^^^^^^ wedge, with its sharp po nt ZS Th ' ? towards the back part of the foot ' ^ ^''^ The foot is seldom put flush and fl,rp ia onvavaA v.v " > mae, to unite with those that have been described, ii 'II! !(!( 38 ON HORSE-SHOEING. as found in the bars. If, is here likewise thicker slightest experience in horses will evince. a stone or of the shoe on the sole is caused hv inflammation of the sensible sole. ^ senZu 'TVT' '"'"^'^ ""''^ inflammation of the sensiblesole, between the crust and the bar. JIH The Sensible Vrog. ha?o'f 'the hnT' tr "°^»««^Py niore than one- lialt of the hoof. The posterior part is filled bv -i soft mass partly ligamentous and partly tendinous ZlVlh^ ' m T^ '^ '' ^**^«^«^ t« the inferior part of the coffin-bone ; and farther back, it adheres to the lower part of the cartilages of the S where they begin to form the rounded protuberance^ that constitute the heel of the foot. ^ It oc up e the whole of the back part of the foot aboveC lorny frog and between the cartilages. Cmi it immediately above the frog and along thf grJat? pat of It, we find the perforans flexor tendon which passes over tha «o„,-„,,i„_i.__. , »^uii, serted iWo the hVerof thrioffliw?' """ " '"■ )EING. iiere likewise tliicker hly sensible, as the nil evince. from the pressure of e sole is caused bv le. . ' inflammation of tlie t and the bar. ox HORSE-SHOEING. 39 rog. ipy more than one^ part is filled by a d partly tendinous. I the cavities of the ihed to the inferior ler back, it adheres lages of the heels, nded protuberances foot. It occupies )he foot above the rtilages. Eunning along the greater ms flexor tendon, 'bone, and is in- xine. The Navicular-Bone Is placed behind and beneath the lower pastern- bone, and behind and above the heel of 'the coffin- bone, so that It forms a joint with both bones, and answers a very important office in strengthening the union between these parts, in receiving a portion of the weight which is thrown on the lower pastern, and in enabling the flexor tendon to act with more advantage. The Oartllaares of the Foot. There is a groove extending along the upper part ot the coffin-bone, and on either side, except at the protuberaiice which receives the extensor tendon occupied by cartilage, which, like the crust, is con- vex outward, and concaved inward. It extends to the very posterior part of the foot, rising above the quarters half an inch or more above the hoof and diminishing in height forward and backward. Ihese cartilages occupy a greater portion of the foot than does the coffin-bone. They are held in their situation r.ot merely by this groove, but by other connections with the coffin-bone, the navicu- lar-bone, and the flexor tendon, and are thus perfectly secured. Below are other ca/tilagea connected with the under edges of the former, and on either side of the frog. Between these o.nrtVmma ja fkp c->.>„:ui« f^._ x>ii ing up the whole of the space, and answering several important purposes, being an elastic bed on II 'f; 40 ON HORSE-SHOEING. which the navmular-bone and the tendon can play with security, and without concussion or sliock, by which all concussion communicated to the cartila^e'^ of the foot are destroyed, by which these cartilages are kej^t asunder, and the expansion of the upper part of the foot preserved. As the descent of the sole increases the width of the lower part oi the foot, so the elevation of the frog, a portion of it being pressed upward and out- ward by the action of the navicular-bone and tendon, causes the expansion of its upper part. It is this expansion upward which contributes princi- pally to the preservation of the usefulness of the horse, when our destructive methods of shoeing are so calculated to destroy the expansion beneath. In draught horses, from long-continued as well as violent pressure on the frog, and from the frog on the cartilage, mflamm .ion is occasionally produced which terminates in the cartilage being changed into bony matter. Having thus described the foot and its anatomy, we will enumerate the diseases which they are sub- ject to: Inflammation of the Foot, or Acute Founder ; Chronic Laminitis ; Pumiced Feet ; Con traction; Navicular-Joint Disease; Sand-Cracks Tread and Over-Reach ; False Quarters ; Quittor Prick, or Wound in the Sole or Ciust ; Corns Thrush; Conker; Ossification of the Cartilages : Weakness of the Foot, &c. UNO. he tendon can play ussion Of shock, by ited to the cartilageH hich these cartilages msion of the upper ireases the width of he elevation of the id upward and out- navicular-bone and its upper part. It I contributes princi- e useiFulness of the bods of shoeing are msion beneath. In tinned as well as d from the frog on casionally produced ago being changed )t and its anatomy, 'hich they are sub- i Foot, or Acute umiced Feet ; Con- ise ; Sand-Cracks ; Quarters; Quittor ; or Crust; Corns; of the Cartilages ; ON IIORSE-SHOEINO. 41 INTBR]9'EJRINO. Interfering Ijehind is often caused by gettin-' tired or not being properly shod, but still what will •stop one horse will not stop another. I have found It a horses foot was rocked out, level it up a little • It in, set It up level; set shoe close on inside with toe calk higher on inside and shoe light ; then again making shoe heavy or wide in web on outside the same as for over-reaching, was followed by good results but it depends a good deal on toe calk. T dont believe ni rocking out too much as there is danger of straining the tendon and many a good horse has been ruined for life and carries a big lea and when the foot rocks out they are more liable to get on front quarters and more apt to click. INTBRPBRINQ IN FRONT, As a rule, can be stopped by shoeing heavy on out- side ; say take No. 2 shoe and cut out inside half ot web from heel to toe, putting light side on in- side of foot If they hit with heel set close ; if with toe, take off what crust will allow. KNBB HITTINO. Knee hitting to be shod in same way as interfer- ing with one excentinn. ghnf> lifrKfor. o^/i 4r„> 4.-„ii.-_ .. a light toe weight is very beneficial in most of cases. 42 ON HORSE-SHOEING. CORNS. There are many kinds of corns in different kinds of feet, but the general belief is that they all come from bad shoeing. If a horse hits his quarter he is most sure to have a corn ; if the shoes stay on too long and heel of shoe crets down in heel it is most sure to start a co?n ; if the crust or bar runs over flat and the shoe rests on it the horse gets lame, and when you take the shoe off there is a corn — another corn for the smith to father. The flat foot is the hardest to deal with, as the sole of foot isthin. Do the best you can by putting in spirits of salts, cover it up with a little batting, put on a bar shoe ; put all pressure on frog you think it will stand, and as a rule it will cause relief. -!'* SI !' NAVICULAR DISEASES. Navicular disease is caused by stepping toe on some hard substance and throwing the strain on back part of foot, which causes navicular bone to get loosened or displaced, which is very much dreaded by horsemen, for it is often incurable or so much so that it is not many years since it was thought incurable. It causes the horse much pain and contraction is sure to set in and it shows where the lameness is. I said it was caused by pressure upwards on toe. Now the way to give relief is to pare the toe well down, then fit the shoe close to tb J foot beveling on outside to preventcontraction ; n > toe calk and three quarters of an inch heel calk, ON HORSE-SHOEINO. 43 rent kiuds y all come larter he is stay on too it is most r bar runs ! gets lame, s a corn — 1 flat foot is is thin. Do Its, cover it )e ; put all 1, and as a and 1 have also found a bar shoe very beneficial, bar made to cover up the most of the frog putting the pressure heavy to help shove navicular back to Its placp ; then blister in hollow of heel and give l)Ienty of rest. SPRAINBD TBNDON. Sprained tendon is very hard to tell from navi- cular lameness as it don't generally swell, but by careful examination a heat can be found. It is caused the same as navicular disease, by a strain, and causes the horse to be very lame all of a sudden not want- ing to set his foot to the ground. Shoe the same as for navicular disease and put a sweat blister on each side of tendon and give rest according to severity of case. )ing toe on e strain on lar bone to very much ncurable or lince it was much pain hows where by pressure relief is to loe close to sntraction ; h heel calk, SHOBINQ THE TROTTER. _ Shoeing the trotter dilTers from other shoeing m many respects. In fii-st place the driver is sup- posed to know how he wants the horse shod instead of leaving it all to the smith, although there are many drivers as well as owners of good horses that don't know how they ought to be shod to increase their speed. They do not judge the horse, but they judge some horse they have seen shod, which trottfid fanf. Tlio liinri oi,r^r,„ „„ „ _.,i_ _i u ^ light, say six to eight ounce shoe, on an ordinary sized foot, outside projecting behind, and the 44 ON HOR8E-8FIOEING. inside, nut as long within half an inch, tittetl close close tohet'i on inside. The front Mime mu.st ha govern- ed by knee action, as a rule ; if a luw ntepper tak(^ for instance No. 2 shoe, lighten the heels by cutting out one half of web up to first nail hole and then fitting close to heels and putting toe tips on for weight. It is not advisable to put on over four or five ounces weight to commence with, for the least weight they have to carry the hniger the tendons will stand, and the longer a horse will stay in a hard race. Many horses carry and have to carry much more to square them away, but they are not so apt to trot as fast as those carrying ligxit weights, especia' ly on a heavy track. HORSE RAISING OR BRBBDINQ. ii ! ■■ there should ance a man 10 and Mes- OROOKBD FOOT. bpit X^'^'^^'V'"'^ I' generally behind, caused by being hurt when when young and neglected till it becomes crooked, generally rocking outward which IS a great detriment to a road horse or speed horse In paring the foot it should be pared off all it will tt'; r.;"''?'' ^T^ '"^"^ ^^""^^ t^^'^i'- i« on outside then ht the shoe close on inside, and leave it as full iTn^r-''^. ^ -P"'"'^^^ '^"'^^"g ^^^^ out a little longer and turning it out which will be a «nr.,)nrt II tiie loot is thus shod in proper time it can be straightened greatly. 46 ON H0R8E-«H0EIXa. ')|i Mi M >m m ' 'r all TOUATT ON SHOBINO. He says : "Diseases are sometimes produced in the feet from v^hich a horse is never again free dnring his life. It is therefore important that a valuable horse should not be placed in the hands of every blockhead who pleases to ca.! himself a horse shoer, but entrusted oidy to persona of known skill. For a horse to be well shod the hoof should be pared with a buttrice instead of giving in to the cruel aiid injurious practise of burning the foot with a red hot shoe until it fits smooth and level to a reason- able size ; the frog should be nicely trimmed in 8haj>e a little convex rather lower than the foot. "The shoe should be made precisely theshape of the hoof after beinp trimmed, not so wide between the heels as to show on the outsido, or so narrow as to cramp the foot and produce narrow heels, " Horse shoeing is what every worker of iron who has acquired the name of i blacksmith pretends to be well sk'Ued in, but there are few indeed in possession of sufficient knowledge on that subject to make it safe to place under their care a horse of value for the purpose of being shod. To perform this operation correctly and without present or future injury requires not only good skill and judg- ment but a thorough acquaintance with the anatomy of a horse's foot, which is a knowledge but few of our aiackjmitn.s are iu possession of, and is the cause of so many horses being useless. Almost iti ON HORSE-HHOEINQ. 47 nil ,nd bears, in consequence, an important influence in setting up a diseased action, that usually results in contraction of the foot. If the heels are square and high, and the hoof presents lather a long, narrow appearance, and is hollow on the bottom, there is a state of contraction going on, and you must not hesitate to dress down thoroughly. Do not hesitate because the hoof appears small. Gut away until you ere well down to a level with the live-horn of the sole, and if the foot is weak, use the same prudence in not cutting it away too much. Tho shoer must always bear in mii^ that the sole must not rest on the shoe. Let the foot be so dressed down, and the shoe so approximate, that the bearing will come evenly upon the crust all the way around, without the sole touching the shoe. This requires the crust to be dressed down level, and, aiihougli well down to ihe live-horn of the sole, it should always be left a little higher. The ON HORSE-SHOKINO. 51 corners between the bars and crust should be well m tllTl!' '" ■'? -^^ "^ ^""«^^' "^ ^^'^ ««!« ^-esting on tJie shoe, which is our next consideration. THB SHOB. The main object should be to have the shoe so formed ns ,o size, weight, fitting, and fastening, as to r > ,e the most advantages of protection, and pre.-- v.jhe natural tread of the foot the best. In weight, It should be proportioned to the work or employment of tlie horse. The foot should not be oaded with more iron than is nee 3sary to preserve 1/ f '" '"'''^ "^^^'^ ^^'"" '^ principally on the road, at heavy draught, the shoe should be rather heavy m order that it may not be bent by contact with hard, uneven earth ; it should be wide in the web and of equal thickifess and width from the toe to the heel, that it may as much as possible protect he sole, without altering the natxiral position of the toot ; It should be well drawn in at the heels, that It may rest on the bars, thereby protecting the corn place, or angles between the bar and cru^ and should m no part extend beyond the outer edge of It IS too often the case that the shoe is made ac- cording to the smith's notions of what the form of the horses foot should be, and the foot is pared, burned, and rasped untd it fits t.he ah.na \r .,., j* should always be borne in mind that the shoris'in- tended for the foot, and not the foot for the shoe 52 ON HOP8E-SHOEING. : i I and that it is tlierefore peculiarly proper to make the shoe lit the natural form of the foot. It is im- possible to have the foot of a horse sound and safe, for work and use, after bringing it to an unnatural figure, by the use of the knife and rasp. The foot of the horse being elastic, it expands to the weight of the horse, in precisely the same degree, whether resting upon the most open or the most contracted shoe. Therefore, the shape of the shoe cannot possibly affect the shape of the foot. The form of the foot is determined by the situation of the nails. If the nails are placed so that the inside quarters and heels are left free to expand in a natural manner, no shape which we can give to the shoe can of itself change the form of the foot. It must not be inferred, however, from this that the shape of the shoe is of no importance ; quite the contrary being the case, as I have already shown. In form- ing the shoe, we should always adopt that which produces the greatest number of advantages with the fewest disadvantages. We find that the sole-surface of the foot is by nature concave in form, which seems to offer the greatest fulcrum of resistance to the horse when travelling. It is important to preserve the natural mechanical action of the horn and sole ; therefore the ground surface of the foot, that is to say, the ground surface of the shoe, should be leveled cup fashion ; its outer edge being prominent, corresponds to the lower and outer rim of the hoof ; while the shoe being hollow, resembles the natural cavity of ON HORSE-SHOEING. 53 thfi sole of the foot. The gronnil surface of the shoe should always be concave. in The pattern that nature has presented us n, making the sole concave, cannot be improved upon by the smith, with all his skill. The expansion of the heels, and growth of the foot, require that the shoe should be long enough, and wide enough at the heels, to allow for the natural growth of the foot in the time it is calculated the shoe should be on before being reset ; for as the foot enlarges the shoe IS brought forward until it loses its oriainal ])roportion, and becomes too short and narrow. The shoe may be about a quarter of an inch wider and longer than the extreme bearing of the heels ; and the nail holes should be punched coarse and in the <;entre of the web. The mannt^r of fastening the shoe 18 what really affects the foot, and what requires the most special attention in shoeing ; for the foot, being elastic, e.xpands in the same propor- tion on the rough as on the nicely-fitted shoe. It IS the number and position of the nails that really afreet the foot. If they are placed well back in the quarters, four.on a side, as is common, the crust is held as firmly to this unyielding shoe as if in a vice, which utterly prevents the free action necessary to Its h( alth. 1 nflammation is produced, which causes contraction and the consequent derangement of the whole foot. If the free, natural expansion of the foot, and the spreading of the quarters in proportion to the growth of the hoof u prevented by the nail- ing oi .;ne .o.hoe, irritation of the il«shy substance between the crust and coffin-bone will result, and ultimately create so much diseased action of the f)i ON HORSE-SFIOEING. parts as to cause contraction and Jiervicular disease. Shoes may be fastened without causing such mis- chief, if thu following method of nailing is observed. I In experimenting, for the purpose of ascertaining how few nails are absolutely necessary, under ordin- ary circumstances, for retaining the shoe securely in its place as long as it should lenmin upon the foot, it has been satisfactorily established that five nails are amply sufficient for the fore shoes, and seven for the hind ones, three should be. placed on the outside of the foot, and two on the inner side, near the toe, thereby leaving the foot free to expand in a natural manner. The nails shouid be driven high up in the crust, but brought out uniform as possible. Another mistake with most smiths is in turning over top mucli clinch. It is also a custom with some to rasp and sandpaper the whole surface of the hoof, for the purpose of making it look nice and smooth. Such a practice should never be tolerated, the covering thus removed is provided by nature to protect the too rapid evaporation of the moisture of the lioof, and when taken away, causes the horn to become dry and brittle. It has so long beeji customary to use as many nails as could be con- veniently driven, in fact, of fastening the shoe as if it were to a lifeless block of wood, that the fear is very commonly entertained that the shoe will not be held in its place with so few nails. Such fears are utterly groundless, as both theor^ and practice demonstrate. If the presence of a nail in the crust ON HOUSE-SHOEING. 55 xycTc a matt.3r ..f no nio.nent, and two or three more than are really necessary were merely useless, no great reason would ex-st for condemning the com- mon practice of using too many nails, but it is far otherwise ; the nails, aside from confining the natural expansion of the lioof, separate the fibres of the horn, which never, by any chance, become united again, but continue apart an ^"^ Ticxyiil; ui tllU horse. Horses with corns must be oftener and more carefully shod than those free from them. HOW TO TELL THE AGB 0.<- A HOKSK. TO TDLL A HORSE'S AGB. 57 There is only one sure way of telling the age of a horse, and that is by an examination of his teeth, and that only extends to a certain age, although an experienced horseman can guess very nearly for some time after that period. There are six teeth in the front part of a horse's mouth, above and below, called the gatherers, from which we may judge of Ixis age. When a colt is foaled, he generally has no teeth in the front part of his mouth. In a few days, two come in the upper jaw, and two below ; and again, after a few da>s, four more appear, but the corner teeth do not make their appearance until he is four or five months old ; these twelve teeth remain unchanged in the front of the colt's mouth until he is about two years old, when he sheds the two centre nippers. At three years old, a colt sheds the adjoining teeth. At four years old, the under or corner teeth. At five years old, the bridle tooth makes Its appearance. At six years old, the cups leave the two centre teeth below. At seven years old, the cups leave the adjoining teeth. At eight years old, the cups have the outei-'or corner teeth. At nine years old, the cups leave the two centre nippers, above. At ten years old, the cups leave the adjoin- ing teeth. At eleven years old, the cups leave the corner upper teeth. At twelve years, or past, the groove in inside of the bridle tooth disappears in a horse. Mares verv apJdnm hnvo fhorr. 58 RECIPES. RECIPES. The following recipes have been gathered from sources entitled to the fullest confidence! ^ rea- dies of value to all owners of horses, and are Pre- sented with the hope of doing good. ^ TO CURB WORMS IN HORSBS. fiulnwf ?f ^"^ "'^'^^ ^'}^'^'''^ ^" P°^^«^' 1 drachm sulphate of iron in powder, 1 oz. flaxseed meal. Ibe above for one dose, mixed with bran mash given at night Repeat in forty-eight hours, "the horse IS old. Two doses are enough for the wo«t w'4 TO CURB THB SORATOHBS IN THE SHORTEST TIME EVBB KNOWN. Use two tablespoonfuls of lard, and one table- spoonful of slacked lime : brn«h m,f fKn I'-f:!!, and dust from the foot ; me no wale'r. " AppTy The RECIPEH. salve, well mixed, twice each day. worst cases in 4 to 6 days. 69 It will cure the ANOTHKR REMEDY. Hydrate of potassa, 10 grains ; pulverized nut- galls, J oz.; white lead, pulverized' opium, each ^ oz.; lard, J lb. Wash with soap-suds, rub dry, and apply the mixture night and morning. Give ourc- ingball. * ^ ^ SPAVIN. This being a valuable recipe, it is worth money to any man dealing in horses. Euphorbium, 5 oz.; cantharides, fine, 2 oz.; iodine, 1 oz., dissolved in alcohol ; red pree ipitate, ioz.; corrosive sublimate, 1 oz.; quicksilver, A oz.; hog's lard, 6 oz.; white turpentine, 6 oz.; verdigris, i lb. Melt the lard and turpentine together, then, while hot, add the others, except the quicksilver, which must be stirred in as it becomes cold. Mix well. When cold, it is fit for use. Rub it in well on the spavin every day for three days, then wash clean with soap-suds, and omit for three days ; then repeat for three days, and so continue until a per- ftct cure :j etfected. Should it blister, use more cautiously. ' , ' fj i I'ti 'i 60 RKCIPE8. BOND SPAVIN, - oz. tann n | It,, alum. M,x and lot stand. Sl.uk ing several times a day till the strength is a I n he FOR WINDOALLS. Olive oil, 2 oz.; nitric acid, ^ oz. Rub as much in every day or every second or third day, as wil] bear without starting the hair. FOR INFLAMED SWBLLINOS OR LAMBD SHOULDBRS. II ifi!" i*^°"^^' be shaken well before usingf and well rubbed m with the hand. *" HTDB BOUND. This condition of the skin is usually produced t, any derangement of system. Medicine of an alterative character is here indicated. The most successful remedy is sulphur, pulverized, 8 oz nitrate of potassa, pulverized, 3 oz.; black antimony' pulverized, 2 oz.; sulphate of iron. 4 oz. Mix wdi together, and give one tablespoonful twice a day. ANOTHER OOOD REMEDY. 1 — Take saltpetre, 4 oz.: crude ant.imntn., . ^- . sulphur, 2 02. x'he saltpetre and antimony shoild RECIPEH. $1 l)e finely pulverized, then add the sulphur, nnd mix well together. Dose : tablespoonful of the mixture in bran mash daily. HOW TO DISTINGUISH BDI »?P fU55N I 'BTBMPBIR AND OLANDJ]^:S. The discharge from the nose i Glanders will sink in water. In Distemper it will not. TRBATMBNT FOR RHBUMATISM. Poultice the feet with mustard and flaxseed meal. Give internally of nux vomica, 1 oz.; pulv. gentian root, l^ oz.; pulverized ginger, 1 oz. Mix, and divide into 12 powders; give one every night in the feed, keep the body warm, and give no corn. foundur rbubdt. Give from 1 to 4 ounces of saltpetre, according to the severity of the case. For a severe case, draw about one gallon of blood from the neck ; then drench with linseed oil, 1 quart ; rub the fore legs with water as hot as can be borne, without scalding, continuing the washing till the horse is perfectly limber. HORSB OINTMBNT. Resin, 4 oz.; beeswax, 4 oz.; honey, 2 oz.; lard, oz.; inui(/ biiesc aixicies siowiy, Dnngiiiu gmciuaiiy to a boil ; remove from the fire, and slowly add a 62 RECIPES, 00NDI1T0N POWDER. dim.;, where . oondi ion n^ T'' ""'^ '" "'h.f never tailed to give entire Mtisfactfeu, Uaqio ukimukt. spirits turpentine • 1 au^^fTJT ^T^^""' ' ^ '^«' and botte for uL^ ell. T'^l *^'^ ^^» bruises, ur]anl,rA.?!?.*'^,^t-..For spmin«. unsurpassed. This i^'krc '''"'!'• ^^"« "«iw«^«fc i» • F inis IS the same hniment, lenving RECIPES. 63 -out the turpentine, which has achieved such won- derful cures for human ailment A more simple liuiment can be made by putting into spirits of turpentine ail the gum camphor it will cut. For ordinary purposes it is fit for use but if you wish to reduce pain, add as much laudanum as there is turpentine. FRBNOH PASTE FOR BONE SPAVIN AND RINGBONE. Corrosive sublimate, quicksilver, and Iodine, of each 1 oz., with sufficient lard to form a paste. Rub the quicksilver and iodine together, and add the sublimate, and finally add the lard, rubbing thoroughly. Shave off the hair the site of thn bone enlargement, then grease ail around it, but not where the bone is shaved off. This prevents the action of the medicine only upon the spavin ; rub in as much of the paste as will lie on a five cent piece, each morning for four mornings only, and in from six to eight days the spavin will come cut ; then wash out the wound with suds, soaking well for an hour or two, which removes the poison- ing, which can be done by any healing salve. I prefer the horse ointment to any other. ^ v^ 64 RECIPES, TREATMENT OP WOUNDS. wnen the skin is much torn from the flesh If vnn are at hand while the wound is quite fresh take sqiiare-pomted needie .nd a waxed threaf^Jd tw 1 up. Be sure to put the needle in strakdit, one .side over against the other, draw the skin tigl t t e ^ knot and cut off the thread ; then take ano her ^ound till the p ace is growing dead, and the skin .s drawing up, then take off the loo e skin -for f you permit it to remain, it will leave a blemish! HOW TO CLEAN AND OH. HARNESS, stu till all 1. iissolved. When cool U ^L I Wh,n thl 1 I ''. ''=,»PP''«<1 "i'h a shoe brush i /m\ EECIPB8. 65 clean with a woolen cloth, which gives the harness a glossy appearance. This prepaiftion does not injure the leather or stitching, but makes it soft and pliable, and obviates the necessity of oiling as often as is necessary by the ordinary method. When the harness is removed from the horse, take a woolen cloth or chamois skin, kept for the pur- pose, and wipe off the dust and ail moisture from rain or perspiration, and when the harness is nearly dry, rub the damper parts very thoroughly with a second cloth or skin, until they are quite soft and pliable. The bits, and plated mountings, should be clean- ed and rubbed with a slightly oiled rag. before the harness is finally hung in its place ; the harness should be protected from dust either by a covering of cloth, or by hanging in a closet. Whenever the leather becomes dry and hard, it should be cleaned and oiled according to the foregoing directions. \l ORHHN SALVE OR FOOT OINTMENT. FOR WOUNDS, NEW OR OLD. 2 oz. beeswax; 2 oz. honey; 2 oz. resin ; 1 ,1 1 — A . o .^^ Ti„t>(t,yn(\v r>ifpVi • X c\7.. vflrdiffrls. ' ■ ■ It is one of the Simmer slow and stir in verdigris, best hoof ointments as well. 66.. RBeiPJS. BLACK OIL, ONE OP THE BEST. Sweet oil ^ pint ; taniier's oil, I pint • gnrnts OHIMBMT JPOE SPRAINS, ALL PAINB AND AOHBS. 1 of 'tet' iil".V ^'"^'"""^' ^ "^- wormwood, I piit. ^®*^^ '^'^« minutes, then add whiskey! XN I'l, its oil SOMETHING FOB HORSt-SHOEPS. vi. ^ ,7 :M DKSCRIPTION OP KNIFE It i« ootupoBed of nmlleable iron with steel knives so attache I Vh«f ^:z^r '' ''"'' '""' '' "''^"^•'^^^' '^"•' '■^" ^" ^>-nd Uth* DIRECTIONS FOR USINO. The object is to prepare the foot for the slioe. In the first i.lfloe clean out the 8ole,or looae portion if anv • then .Tlnn//! i -t ' ^' ..: foot, and the other on tL out^de shJl'; stlrt't^^e C^ to^^ther by pressing them towanis one another, dinchintr h.,th »■!!; nl*^ i they come within reach. One inch cL^ t 'taLS ff^"a ^timeTt othTwa^ '"or. ease and in less time than it can beXneiZny onUt tor three times the pricl i.^ ^r^J^^n^ Ijtt'tlirt W. H. ACKEKMAX. M.. D. H,W,™,-.Sir,-I ,ee, tb/lKir,' ".';,. town of Pintnn sho.5!l-3 five you a inco (..reseiit, for 1 am snro at. your Lever Knife that the price is no comparison with ilst would not take five dollars for mine. v>»-"^^ wnn its v D. H. WINTERS, ~7~~-"_ pic* ..,^ MANUFACTURER AND PATENTEE I '.N. ONT. • ^ \ ^■V^'l