Arizona weekly enterprise., 1889-04-27

In order to be got into condition for shoeing, the first object of attention is to bring the foot to perfectly level bearing. If this is properly managed, the secret of success in farIiery is solved, affirms 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 standard of perfection, from which the 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 unshod feet may havo 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 superfluous horn has been removed it will be found that the bottom of the foot will be like the one here illustrated, nearly circular, the sole concave, the
 
 expanded.
 Ill undertaking to get horses foot into condition it is important to bring it to it's best form-that is, as near to nat ure as is practical.
 It is on this ground that Professor Rus sell recommends to every farmer the use of small hand compasses five or six inches in the branch for nursing the foot and bringing it to it's proportionate level. It is his practice to first ascertain the length of the heels opposite the lines D. D, by measuring with compasses from coronet to ground surface, then the quar- ters above the lines C, C. and likewise the sides of the toe opposite the lines D, D. In the same manner, on the bottom, the foot is to be measured at the lines c, c, where its diameter is the greatest from the middle of the frog to the out side rim of the hoof. By thus ascertain ing the gradations of the foot and duly proportioning it before shoeing to that degree of safety possible, there is no doubt, in Professor Russell's opinion, that the strength and general condition of the foot will be brought to the highest state it is capable of attaining. On the foot prepared for tho shoe (see cut) the lower part is to be reduced when too full; that is, the superhuous horn is to be cut away, more particularly at the toe, and, by means of a rasp, a broad even surface made for the shoe to bear upon. The loose, scaly parts of the sole are to be removed, so as to pre- serve it's 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 flat and even, and so low as to be on q level with the frog. Indeed, the whole bottom of the crust is to be made equally on plain surface, at the same time, with the rasp, that the shoe may 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 the same on both quarters. Ifboth 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, E, is a line through cen ter from toe to heel; c, c, line through center of quarters; D, D, D, D, intersect- ing lines marking tho width of heel and sides of toe; E, E, frog; r, r, bars; G, C, grooves; A. cleft of frog; l, I, sole J, J, J, J, wall bearing surface; H, H H, II, height of heel from ground sur. face to coronet.