Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-03-22
Pairing the Horses HOOf.

Many horses have the shape Of their
feet completely spoiled by wearing their
shoes beyond the proper period for remOv-
ing them. This they are allowed to do,
either from neglect, or from an idea Of
economy; but it is an timed attempt at
saving. Unless there is some very special
reason for IT. the shoes should never be
permitted to remain on longer than three
or four weeks, according as the hoof may
be active in its growth, or otherwise.
There is one great objection to what is
called re-se;ting the shocs--they generally
become too short, by providing for new
calkings, so that the horses heels are eX-
posed TO undue conclusion, which is a
frequent source OF corns and quarter
cracks.
The old shoes should be removed from
the feet with great care, after all the
clenches have been cut. Ii they are
dragged off in careless and awkward
manner, without cutting the clenches, the
sole may be bruised and injured, or the
edges of the wall may be cleft anu broken
We call attention to this little matter, be
cause this part of the operation is seldom
done with the neatness and care which it
requires.
There are very few things so little va
ried in nature us the form of the ground
surface of the horses foot; for whether
the hoof is high heeled and upright, or
low-heeled and Hat, large or small, broad
or narrow, the identical form of the
ground surface is maintained in each, so
long as nature is left alone. The advant-
age OF this form Is SO obvious, that it is Il
matter of wonder ii should ever be inter
tered with The enlarged outer quarter
extends the base, and increases the hold
of the foot upon the ground; while the
siraighter inner quarter lessons the risk of
striking the foot against the opposite leg.
II should surely be our object to retain
these valuable qualities as long as we can,
and not lightly sacrifice either Of them to
a false notion of what may be considered
a prettier form. Whenever we see nature
steadily perseyering in one plan, depend
upon it, it is not within the range of man.
ingenuity TO amend it. Instead there
fore, OF attempting to pare the form OF the
hoof to the ideal circular one given to the
shoe, the shoe ought to be made to fit he
form of the natural foot. The quantity OF
horn to be pared away from the foot,
should always depend on the form of the
upper part OF the foot, which varies con-
siderably in different horses. In upright
feet and high heels hsrn grows abundant.
ly, especially toward the toe, and such
feet are benefited by having the toe short
| cned, the heels lowered, and the soles well
pared OUT while with flat feet and low
heels, the horn grows sparingly, and such
will admit OF very little shortening in the
toe, being always weak, and the heels al
ready too low tor the rasp; and the sole
presents so little dead horn, that the draw
ing -knife should be used with great dis
cretion. Perfect and tolerably wei formed
feet, with fair growth of horn, should
have the toe shortened, the heels lowered,
and the sole well pared out-that is, all
The dead horn removed, and, il need
be, some of the living too. The
sole ought 10 be kept little
lower than the edge OF the wall.
So as TO prevent it from pressing on
the shoe, hut it must not be very much
thinned. Some people are urgent in
directing it to be closely pared, for the
purpose Of making il more elastic. There
can be no greater draw back, however,
than thin sole. 1t should always be left
! as thick and strong as circumstances will
permit. II viii then answer its intended
purpose in protecting the internal parts of
the foot from injurious local pressure.
When the toes aredisposedt to grow long,
aud the heels deep, they ought both to be
well pared. II this is attended to. the foot
Will preserve its proportions remarkably
well. y toe THAI is too long is uncemfori-
able and unsafe. Walking over it will
fatigue the horse; and ii the toe is not
litled high, the animal will be likely to
strike IL against stones ON the road The
heel should be lowered to reasonable ex.
tent, bat the pairing must be confined en-
tfrcly 20 the ground surface. The wall AT
tac back Of the heel and M the edges of
the frog. should not be touched with the