SELECTION OF SHOES.
In practice, a farrier does not trouble much about the selection of
suitable shoes. The rule is to apply whatever form of shoe the horse
has been wearing, and only to venture an opinion as to alterations when
asked by the owner. When the selection of a suitable shoe is left to
the workman he takes into consideration the work required of the horse,
the form of the feet, and the wear of the old shoes. The form of the
old shoes indicates not only whether a horse is a light or hard wearer
but what parts of the shoe are most worn, and thus enables provision
to be made against excessive or irregular wear. The form of the feet
indicates not only what size of shoe is requisite but also what special
weakness or strength is to be encountered. It is also necessary to
note the condition of the fetlocks and knees, which may show signs of
"brushing" or "speedy cutting." According to all these appearances a
shoe should be selected. For the different classes of horse there are
well-known forms of shoe which present special advantages, thus:--
=The race horse= when in training, may be shod with a very light
shoe, but on the turf he requires the lightest contrivance capable of
protecting the hoof and affording good foot-hold. The ordinary racing
plate answers these requirements. It is made in a "crease," or tool, or
may be made from specially prepared bars which only need cutting into
lengths and turning round. The plate is about one-third of an inch wide
by one-eighth thick. The foot-surface is flat, and the ground-surface
is fullered and concave.
=Steeplechase= plates are made on the same pattern, but should be a
little stronger so as to avoid even the possibility of becoming twisted
on the foot.
=Hunting shoes= should be light, very secure, and of a form to give
good foot hold. The best are flat on the foot-surface, and fullered and
concave on the ground-surface. The hind shoe should also be concave on
the ground-surface, but to avoid the injury of over-reaching the inner
circumference at the toe should be rounded and smooth. A small square
calkin at each heel affords grip on grass, and especially in going down
hill at a fast pace.
=Hacks=, being used on hard roads, must have heavier shoes than
hunters, but the form may be the same.
=Carriage horses= require more substance in their shoes than hacks, and
the narrow concave shoes suitable for hunters and hacks cannot give
sufficient durability. The double-grooved shoe known as "Rodway's" is
the best for this class. On ordinary roads the hind feet may be shod
with a common two heeled shoe, but on wood and asphalte the heavier
sizes of Rodway iron make a shoe that affords very good foot hold and
dispenses with the necessity for calkins.
=Omnibus and Van horses= require stronger shoes to meet the hard wear
entailed by their work. The heavy Rodway iron makes very suitable front
shoes, but the hind shoes must be solid with only a fullering for the
nails or, as many prefer, each nail-hole separately stamped. As a rule
the hind shoes of this class of horse have calkins on the outside heel.
If the vehicle in which they run is provided with a foot-brake calkins
are unnecessary, and the advantages of a level shoe should be made use
of. The advantages are--better foot hold, longer wear and less danger
from treads and "cutting."
=Heavy draught horses.= In Scotland and in the North of England this
class of horse is shod with a toe-piece and calkins on both fore and
hind shoes. In London calkins are only put on the hind shoes, and
toe-pieces are not used at all. On paved streets where a space exists
between the rows of stones and especially if the road be hilly, I think
toe-pieces are advisable, and of course when they are used calkins must
be also made. Horses having become accustomed to toe-pieces, when shod
with a level shoe, slip much more for a week or two than do horses
which have never learned to rely upon the bar across the toe. Every
thing considered, I incline to prefer a level shoe in front, and a
shoe with two low square calkins behind for heavy draught horses. The
enormous width of shoe often used in London is quite unnecessary, it is
very heavy and it favours slipping. A narrower shoe must of course be a
little thicker to meet the wear, but it is lighter and affords better
foot hold, and as slipping and fatigue are both causes of excessive
wear, a narrow shoe, weight for weight, will last longer than a broad
flat one.