How to Shoe Horses.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7821, 13 May 1905, Page 2

How to Shoe Horses.

Tho late Captain Hayes was one of the most accomplished horsemen in Eng'ftind, and anything he said or wrote on his favourite subject was worthy of notice. The present writer never met lihu personally, but had the privilege of private correspondence wiith him on one occasion*, and was able to help him on a matter relating to the development and evolution of the horse. At the present uiuw some uupublisned papers he left behind him are being given to the public, and the summary of some of his ideas on the shooing of the animal cannot fail to be interesting. In fitting on a shoo the proper slope of the foot must be preserved, and the hind hoofs will be from 5 to 10 degrees ''steeper" or nearer to a right angle than the the fore hoofs, and this ought to bo allowed for in shoeing. The shoe is fastened on to the fore part of the hoof, while tho heel part is tece, and this wears away slightly after shoeing by the friction of the heels of the shoe, while the toe part is not so worn ; therefore the toe parti .should be most trimmed if any, and the hoof set slightly steeper to start with. As concussion affects the foro feet most, the hind feet may be made steeper than the fore ones without injury ; if the fore ones aro steep then they become •■' stilty " i n action. A horse that turns out its toes 100 much should have the outer wall of the hoof well pared down so as to givo tho contrary tendency Captain Hayes believed that in the duo course of time side bones and even nng-boncs would become permanent structures :« tho foot ojf Ollr heavy workhorses. Work has , tendency to develop them, nnd he behoved that no amount of dishuali■cation of these growths by vete.Tn- ; v inspector and show>u,,l authoriPne^rSn^fZ:^