Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1889-03-22

In order to be got into condition for
shoeing. the first object Of attention is
to bring the foot to a perfectly level
bearing. If this is properly managed,
the secret of success in farriery is solved,
attirms Russell in his Scientific Horse
Shoeing," from which the annexed cut
is re-engraved In this cut is shown
what Professor Russell claims to be a
perfect hoof, properly prepared for the
shoe. This may be taken as a standard
OF perfection, from which tho goodness
of feet in general may be Judged. An
examination Of the natural feet of many
horses will show that their essential
shape is the same, but, generally speak
Ing, a perfect foot will not be found in an
animal that has been shod. Some of
the unshol feet may have grown more
luxuriantly than others, whereby the
crusts Will be deeper and the bottom
part may be broken, SO as to give the
foot an uneven appearance, but when
this superlluous horn has been removed
1t will be found that the bottom of the
foot will be like the one here illustrated,
nearly circular, the sole cCncave, the
bars distinct, the frog open and the heel
expanded.
In undertaking to get . horses foot
into condition It IS important to bring it
to its best form-that is, as near TO nat
ure as is practical.
1t IS on this ground that Professor Rus
sell recommends to every farmer the Use
Of small hand comp1sscs five or six
inches in the branch for nursing the foo.
and bringing it to its proportionate level.
1t ID his practice 20 first ascertain the
length Of the heels opposite the lines d,
D, by measuring with conpasscs from
coronet to ground surface, then the quar-
tiers above the lines Z, c, and likewise
the sides Of the toe opposite the lines D.
u. In the same manner, on the bottom,
the foot Is to be measured at the lines c.
Z, where its diameter is tie greatest
from the middle of the FROG to the out
side rim of the hoof. I'y thus ascertain
ing the gradations Of the foot and dulv
proportioning it before shoeinr to that
degree OF safety possible, there is no
DOUBT, IN Professor Russoll's opinion, thai
the strength and general condition C
the foot will be brought to the highest
state ii is capable OF attaining. On the
foot prepared for the shoe (seo cu0 the
lower part is to be reduced when too
full; that is, the superluous horn is to
be cut away, more particularly at
the toe, and, by means OF a rasD.
broad even surface made for the shoe
to bear upon. The loose, scaly parts of
the sole arc to be removed, SO as to pre-
serve its concavity, and, if any RAGGED
parts are observed in the frog, these are TO
be carefully removed with knife The
junction Of the bar and crust is natural
bearing for the heel of the shoe and is to
be rasped fiat and even, and so low as to
be on a level with the frog. Indeed, the
whole bottom of the crust is to be made
equally on a plain surface, at the same
time, with the rasp, that the shoe NAV
bear equally on every part Of it. Next
ascertain if the foot be level; that is, if
the distances Of coronet and heel from
the sole be tho same on both quarters.
Ii both quarters and heels measure alike.
respectively, the foot is on its level, and
is properly pared for the reception of
the shoe.
In the cut, B, B, is line through CEN
ter from toe to heel; G, G, line through
center Of quarters; D, d, d, d, intorsect
ing lines marking the width of heel and
sides of toe; E, L, frog; F, T, bars; C, G,
grooves; A, cleft Of frog; l, I, sole;
j, j, j, j, wall bearing surface; II, II,
H, II. height Of heel from ground sur
face to coronet.
The Cornell University Agricultural |
Experiment station, organized under tho
provisions of the Hatch BILL has lust |