Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-06-30
Scientific ~Horse.Shoeing.

exported bring $105, 796, 779 into the
country Chicago Times.
Scientific Horse.Shoeing.
During the last year there has been
considerable discussion, in various agri-
cultural papers, OF horse-shoeing. Like
all other subjects, various opinions have
been expressed and definite directions
given upon it; not only as to the neces-
sity and utility Of shoeing at all, but as
to the manner of doing it. The pairing,
cutting, trimming and treatment of the
hoof in general, have been dwelt upon;
it's construction and the formation of
its different parts explained, so that it
would seem that every owner of a
horse and every person who had ever
shod one had a thorough knowledge of
the whole matter, and the operation
could always be performed to perfec-
ton. The fact is, however, that while
there are many blacksmiths throughout
the country who partially understand
the structure and formation Of the hoof,
and are careful to do their work in the
best possible manner, and to some eX-
tent make shoeing a specially, there are
few who devote their attention to the
business so much as to make it an OBJ
ject of study and to become perfectly
familiar with all its details. On the
other hand, by far the greater part of
those who practice shoeing know little
and care less whether their work is done
in the best, or ever in a proper, manner,
if it is SO done as to satisfy their GUS
toners, who know as little us them
selves how the work should be done.
Between the ignorance of the two, the
horse, if not entirely ruined, is SO far
injured as to materially impair his use
f%ulncss, and render him liable to all
ments and diseases which might have
been avoided by Il more judicious or
different treatment.
The remedy for all this lies with the
owner himself. Let him carefully study
and understand, so far as general prin-
ciples will lead him. and. being inter-
ested, he will be better qualified to di-
rect the smith how to do his work than
the smith can be, who has no %acquain-
tance with the animal. his manner of
travelling, or in many cases the work to
which he is called. Let the owner or
driver note carefully the condition Of his
animals foot; have the shoe we'll fitted
and in such shape as to preserve, in
most cases, the form of the hoof which
nature has given. In very few cases
nature has caused a mal-formation, and
in such case have the shoe made and set
to tit the foot. Valuable horses are
often spoiled or much injured by the
neglect of the owner to observe these
precautions. Also see that the shape of
the shoe is neither too wide nor too mar
row, which latter is the greater fault. as
it contracts the hoof to an unnatural
shape, and causes the horse to move
with an awkward and unsteady gait.
fail to cover the foot, or so long as to
extend beyond the hoof; and it should
be set squarely upon the foot; that is,
the toe calk should be exactly in the
center of the shoe and point directly for
ward. Especially is this important with
a young animal, whose hoof is growing
fast and will easily accommodate itself
to the shape Of the hoe and the manner
in which it is set. If the shoe remains
any length of time after setting with a
twist, there will be a twist in the foot.
Care should also be taken that the
shoes be all set alike, and not, as in
many cases, one shoe twisted to the
right and the other to the left. This
condition | saw only a short time since.
No animal shod in that way can travel
with ease. 1t is important that horses
not used in hard work should not be
shod too opten, as the hoof will be too
much cut with the nails and Will not be
so tough to hold them, and be harder and
more brittle. Neither should they 60
too long without shoeing, for they are
apt to stumble and strain the ankles
when the hoof is much grown, and
cause wind gals and often permanent
lameness. After considerable experi-
ence and much observation 1 have found
that in this, as in other things, if we
would have it well done, ourselves must
direct how it shall be done. Who does
this may do away with pads to keep his
horse from interfering, will seldom be
troubled by over-reaching, and not often
have his horses feet sore; no calking,
no corns, strains or the numerous other
ills caused by bad s~hoeing.-C. B. Var
ner, in Country Gentleman.