Cold shoeing, consequently, is only an expedient, a convenience; it may, however, be a necessity, under conditions such as those of active service. Hot shoeing: A well-fitting shoe should have a level, even bearing on the whole wall, the bars, white line, and the outer rim of the sole. It should follow the circumference of the hoof accurately. In hunters it is usual to set the hind shoe a little back from the toe, in order to avoid the risk of over-reaching when jumping.

The following are common faults of fitting:

1. Overlowering of the sole.
2. Excessive burning of the horn.
3. Stumping of the toe.
4. Too wide a shoe (although a little extra width may be permitted at the heels).
5. Too long a shoe, projecting beyond the heels.
6. Too short a shoe, failing to take a bearing on the base.

Pricking: Occasionally with clumsy shoeing a horse may get pricked, by the driving of a nail into the sensitive part of his foot. Nails should be driven in a medium height, those at the toe a little higher than those at the heel. Rasping the surface of the wall is a common fault. There should be no rasping above the clenches. The fewer rasp marks the better.

WINTER SHOEING

Roughing, which consists in taking off the shoe and turning down the ends, is a device for preventing slipping in frosty weather. Another is screw cogs, which are put into the shoes. Or frost nails, inserted into the ordinary nail holes, can be used. The horse is shod a little wider at the heel, and the frost nails are inserted in such a way as not to touch the horn. One nail should be inserted in each heel of each fore-shoe, and one in the outer heel of each hind shoe, provided there are no calkins.

THE CARE OF UNSHOD FEET

Horses can be worked without shoes in hard and dry climates where roads are cemented, and they can do good work in other circumstances if the conditions permit.

If a horse is ridden without shoes:

1. The feet must be inspected regularly and the wall rounded off with the rasp to prevent splitting.
2. The heels must be lowered and the toes shortened if required, in order to keep the hoof in its proper proportions.
3. The animal should be trotted out to ascertain that it is not footsore. If the action is 'pottery' the horse must be shod up for a time, to allow the feet to grow; the shoes can then be taken off again.
4. Especial care must be taken during wet weather, when the horn wears away very rapidly.
5. A set of shoes, ready fitted, should be maintained for every animal.

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