The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-03
PAIRING the Horses Foot.

In state of nature, the growth Oh
the foot and the wear and tear are
pretty equal. When the latter exceeds
the former the animal becomes tender
footed, which induces him to rest till
the horn becomes replenished. This is
the case in South America where horses
run wild and are caught as required,
worked till tender-footed, and then let
loose till they again become sound.
The object in pairing is to make the
removal of horn equal to the growth of
/ the foot, which wear and tear would
do if the horse had been unshod and
taking his natural exercise. We see
the effects of not pairing in some horses
on whom shoes are allowed to remain
for months. The crust or wall becomes
long, the sole thick. and the horse is
apt to stumble and trip at every step.
This inordinate growth of horn is more
frequently perceptible in asses, whose
labor is light, and whose feet are neg
lected from motives of economy, or
from no motives at all. In these an
imalS the crust is sometimes double the
ordinary length, and curling up so that
the toe does not meet the ground.
CGSCS oHOW lOOG
pairing, as a substitute for its natural
wear, from which shoeing relieves it;
it is also necessary, in order to have at
each shoeing fresh portion of horn for
attaching the shoe.
In preparing the foot for the shoe,
after carefully removing any remaining
stubs, the crust should be lowered with
the rasp from toe to heel, which being
done, the sole should be pared with the
drawing-knife. If the foot has been
stopped or soaked, the old flakes of
horn can be removed without difficulty;
they have the appearance of cheese
rind, anu altogether different from the
tough, firm horn farther above. Care
must be taken to cut of 4 portion OF
the horn between the crust and bars,
so the heels of the crust will be higher
than those of the sole Generally par
ing off these flakes and ragged portions
will be sufficient. The bars will simply
loose portions without diminishing their
strength. The heels, that is, the june
ton of the bars with the crust, will
sometimes curl inwards; il so,
straighten them by cutting away Il
little horn. 1t is nearly q general
custom for smiths to open the heels by
cutting away great portion of the in
ferior and posterior parts of the bars.
1t certainly, by widening the commits
sures, makes narrow foot appear
wider, but it must weaken the heels by
Withdrawing great portion of one o!
the walls or buttresSes which consti
tutes its strength, and thus it assists
contraction of the foot.
Some horsemen will tell the black
smith that the frog is on no account to
be touched. This is very gnwise; for.
although smiths are inclined TO cut the
frog unnecessarily, the total disuse OF
the knife is likely to predispose
thrushes, or, if they exist, to render
them worse. The frog will grow too
luxuriantly and become ragged, be-
cause the shod foot can not receive the
same wear and pressure as if unshod.
In consequence, the frog often touches
the bars. having a vacant space above,
serving to harbOr wet and filth, by
which thrushes are often produced.
Now, the cOmmissures of the frog
ought to be cleaned out so their deepest
part can be seen, and as much OF the
frog removed as necessary for the pur-
pose; cut away ragged portions, and il
there are cracks into which the dirt has
penetrated, cut them ont as far as the
dirt extends. Thus far the knife should
90, and no farther. By no means cut
the frog away merely because the smith
fancies it too large. Some feet require
little or no pairing beyond loose and ir-
regular parts; the heels of such feet
should be preserved with the incest
care; with weak feet, particularly, it is
desirable to remove the horny sole at
the heels with small drawing-knife-
. large one may cut way the bars with
the sole, thus weakening the heels. In
other feet the growth is so great as to
require the removal of considerable
horn at.each shoeiDg. Thus no fixed
directions can be given for pairing the
horn. The nature and condition of the
feet must determine how much
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