Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-27

Mr.. N. B. KERR has put forth in the american Ag-
ricuhTaist the following hints about horseshOeng,
which are worthy the attention of farmers:
! Crippled and half-bound horses are becoming
more and more common where they are used on
hard roads and the method Of shoeing adopted by
blacksmths to prevent lazness in the opinion oft the
writer, only increases the evil. Usually shoes
made with nail nOles too near the toe. This leaves
the heel unsupported, and throws the strain in
travelling and pulling, about midway between the
heel and toe, which is the weakest part of the hOof
Often when the shoes are removed, the sole of the
foot is found torn loose from the hoOf at the heels
leaving sores called cOrns. This is more common
with heavy, wde-fOOted horses, though the same
style of shOeing will produce it in all
Burning the hOof with the hot shoe to fit it to its
place, IS often practCed. A number of years expe-
rience has taught that this should not be done.
When horse hoOf is properly trimmed, the sole is
less than quarter of an inch thick burning will
crisp and destroy the life of the seam causing the
sole and hoOf to separate. This Is followed by
sprawling ard rottenness of the hcof, lowering of
the sole turning up of the toe and general i'll shape
Of the foot, and the horse becomes a clumsy Grip
pie.
Horses likely to become hoof-bound generally
have SMALL tough horny hoOfs Of rapid growth; but
with proper care they may be kept free from lame
ness II the shoe Is not properly fastened near the
heel it causes the toe to incline forward the sole
becomes hard and dead, the heels contract and the
frog is injured. Lameness must follow from the
action of the cOthn JOINT being retarded.
To keep the foot in its natural shape, the shoe
should be made to fit wide at the heels; the "cak'
should stand square inclining little outward. The
shoe should be nailed well back towards the heels,
say from an inch and quater to two inches from
the calks thus securing it solidly from heel to toe
When the foot is in its natural shape, as strong
nail hold can be had at the turn of the heel any
where about the hOOf.
The clip, or outward projection from the shoe
used by many is worse than useless, the hoof is
weakened by tn notch made TO receive it, and is in
jured by the burning given to fit it in. By this
treatment horses whose feet have been worn short
at the toe, have often been famed by crisplng the
sole and affecting the quick causing it to tester, in
few days after shOeing. After horses feet have
been thus matreated, it viii take from six months
to years proper care to restore them to sound
condition.
A shoe properly put on should remain from ten to
fifteen weeks If horse is shOd oftener than once
in two months. there viii not be sufficient growth
to afford solid hold for the nails.
Drink FOR YOUNG CALvEs.-When the calves have
learned to drink, prepare the following broth for
them: Take a large pot and I'LL it with hay and
water then boil it until the strength is out strain
off tins BROTH and to six quarts Of it add pint of
mlk-this is sufficient for one calf As they begin
to grow the quantity should be increased This food
Is not only cheaper but far better than milk any
other drink because il makes them strong healthy