Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-01-09

terially for centu-
ries, and has always been rude and ir-
rational. One Of the chief objections
TO the system is that the hoof is made
to ut the shoe instead OF the shoe to
at the hoof.
Ihls involves a lot Of cutting and
scraping, and is the chief cause Of lame
ness and stumbling. The use of nails
ls also serious objection, as, no mat
ter how careful the blacksmith may be,
there are cases when a tender spot will
be penetrated. 1t is quite obvious that
nature never intended nails to be
driven into a horses hoof.
thousands Of schemes are put for
ward every year for improving the
present horseshoe, but none of them
has as yet proved successful. Many Of
them seem plausible enough on paper,
but are absolutely worthless when put
TO the test. The inventors fail to prop
erly appreciate the tremendous strik-
ing force In the horses foot
The accompanying illustrations show
"A novel horseshoe that has been sub
jected to careful and thorough trial on
half dozen horses. In every instance
1T has worked to perfection.
Like great many works of genius,
the one in question is extremely simple.
1t consists Of a band of metal about an
inch high, which fits around the lower
edge of the hoof. At the base Of this
band there is sort of projecting shelf,
or tiange, which is made to fit into O
groove which runs around the inside of
the shoe. The latter is made of steel, Of
the usual shape and style. The only
differences between it and the ordinary
shoe is the presence of the groove and
the absence Of nail holes.
When the band Is fitted to the hoof
I(whlch is done very readily, the shoe
i'm turn is attached by slipping the
fiange into the groove. Tt now remains
Ho'clasp the arrangement by two screws
In the rear. These may be turned to
any degree of tightness desired, and a
moderate degree is sufficient to prevent
the shoe from coming off. The whole
arrangement may be put on or taken
off In moment.
AS the shoe is not nailed to the hoof,
there is perfect freedom for expan-
sion and contraction. This is very
essential point, as all horsemen know.
The growth of the hoof is not prevented,
and If there is any growth, instead Of
splitting the hoof, 1t serves only to
tighten the shoe. All the strain ON the
band as it is frightened comes over the
toe and around the lower edge Of the
hoof at the point where it is the hard
est.
The ease with which the shoe may be
put on and taken off permits its for
.tunate wearer to enjoy luxury that
has been denied him up to the present
time, for now the horse may remove his
shoes before retiring for the night. We
all know what a relief it is to take off
our footgear, especially in damp
weather. There is no reason why the
horse should not feel equally relieved
when deprived Of his heavy iron clogs.
Another point of advantage, on which
the inventor properly lays much stress,
is the fact that the shoe is grasped firm
ly to the hoof at every point, Under the
mailing system the last nails toward the
rear are driven about half way between
the heel and toe. This leaves one-half
of the shoe on either side unfastened.
There is thus considerable leverage,
and it is for this reason that so many
shoes come off. If this shoe is caught,
say in track, at the rear end, it is
almost sure to come off. This difficulty
is obviated in this shoe. In fact, some
persons have objected to this shoe on
the ground that it will never pull off
in an accident, thus rendering the hoof
itself liable to injury.
The fastening in the rear is made by